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October 14, 2008
How different would your life be without diabetes?
I was asked this question recently. I must admit that I have not thought about that possibility in many, many years….probably since I my “honeymoon phase” ended in 1992. Since a cure for diabetes is not likely in the near future, my view is that it would be a waste of my precious time here on earth to sit around wishing for my diabetes to disappear. Don’t get me wrong, I am very appreciative of the work that the ADA and JDRF are doing in this area. Indeed, life without diabetes would be dramatically different for me in many aspects.
It would be great not to have to check my blood sugar every day, take insulin with every bite of food that enters my mouth, watch my diet/count carbs every day, go to the doctor for check-ups every three months, get annual eye exams, endure a high-risk pregnancy, deal with low blood sugars that zap my energy, fight with life insurance companies for coverage, plan my career around jobs that have excellent health benefits, etc. etc. I could go on and on, but this list is starting to depress me --and I am beginning to ask myself, “Tell me again why I am doing this?”
Paradoxically, my life would be very different without a diabetes diagnosis in other ways. For example, I don’t think that I would have been as interested in this disease if it had not been thrown in front of me. I doubt I would have had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the most influential people in the field of diabetes. I don’t think I would have had such a large network of female friends who really get what my life is like every day. I also don’t think I would be as healthy as I am right now because I would not have been as motivated to take charge of my health at a young age. My life would also be extremely different in terms of the career path I have chosen. I am employed in diabetes medication sales and I am the Founder/Executive Director of DiabetesSisters.
So, yes, my life would be much different if I did not have diabetes. Yes, diabetes has brought its own set of trials and tribulations to my life. But, I choose to focus on how my life is richer, more health-focused and more purposeful as a result of having diabetes.
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(0 vote)
A reason for everything
By: wmathrules (Registered) on 16-10-2008 19:57