DiabetesWeek

Setting the Record Straight

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Diabetes campaigns here in Australia never cease to disappoint me. They always tend to focus on the negatives, such as the complications and the hard hitting statistics which instil fear. Our campaigns lack positivity, and don’t do those of us living with the condition a lot of justice.

In my humble opinion, a campaign for Diabetes Week is simple. One where we encourage people living with the condition to share their stories in order to help raise awareness. Diabetes UK always seems to do this very well, with positive, empowering campaigns that actually engage and involve people with diabetes.

Before I start getting depressed about the awful complication-themed Australian diabetes week next month, I thought I’d add my two cents worth to Diabetes UK’s fantastic campaign for Diabetes Week, Setting the Record Straight. Here goes…

1) A diagnosis does not mean that you’ll develop complications. I heard a lot about complications in the Australian media during the first year or so after my diagnosis. I remember feeling horrified about that possibility, and even writing myself off because of my diabetes in conversations. It took me a long time to realise that this was in fact, not true. 

I still remember a fantastic quote I found somewhere on the internet that went something like “you might feel like crap today, but complications can take years to develop.” It’s a great perspective and it always reminds me that it’s never too late.

2) Diabetes takes time to get right. A LOT of time. After I was first diagnosed, I remember talking to others in the context that I would eventually get it sorted. Once I had everything figured out, I wouldn’t need to test my BGLs so often and I wouldn’t be having so many hypos. Six years later, I’m still trying to get it right!

My diabetes educator reminded me recently that “even though we want to do as much as we can straight away, it takes time to get it right and you need to be patient.” Be kind to yourself.

3) You don’t have to turn your life upside down or give up everything! Magazines are full of ways to change your life and feel better overnight and blah blah blah. Doctors talk as though change can happen with a wave of the magic wand. It’s completely unrealistic. I’ve made a lot of small, gradual changes to my diet and my routine since I was diagnosed. But I haven’t compromised on the things I love. I don’t do dedicated exercise, because I don’t enjoy it. I still eat chocolate. I still drink lots of coffee. I don’t peel the skin off my takeaway chicken. I still enjoy myself at Christmas time. 

A colleague recently told me that “it’s easier said than done.” While I do agree, I reminded her that it doesn’t mean that you have to be unhappy.

4) Finally, I’m loving the Faces of Diabetes campaign that’s going round on social media. Because there are actual human beings behind the condition, and it’s important to keep that in mind when advocating. You can get your picture here.

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Happy Diabetes Week to those of you in the UK! You can find out more at diabetes.org.uk and by following #DiabetesWeek on social media.

Diabetes and Me

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Happy Diabetes Week to all of my d-friends in the UK! This year’s theme is “Diabetes and Me,” and asks us to think about how we manage our condition and live life to the full.

The one single thing that helps me to live life to the full every day is attitude. While diabetes has caused A LOT of frustration over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever spent my time wishing diabetes away. As angry as I might be, I’ve never cursed or blamed that setback on diabetes. I don’t walk around with a chip on my shoulder or attaching any stigma to myself. Diabetes is a reality that’s not going away anytime soon. Its something I’ve accepted.

I suppose I credit this to being hospitalised upon diagnosis (click here to read my diagnosis story). I had all sorts of horrible symptoms – lethargy, weight loss, urination, loss of saliva, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and panting. I honestly thought I might die. So, by the time I was diagnosed with diabetes in hospital I didn’t really care that much. I was just so relieved that all those symptoms had gone away. I had saliva and I could eat again!

In fact, most days I never really think of myself as a person who has diabetes. When I’m testing myself or injecting insulin, I never think too much about what I’m doing or why I have to do it. Its sort of become something that I subconsciously have to do and deal with.

Diabetes is one of the craziest, ever changing, emotional rollercoaster of experiences in my life. Its something that I fit into my life, and not the other way around.

I’ve graduated from uni.

I’ve cut down Christmas trees.

I’ve celebrated birthdays and enjoyed more than my fair share of cake.

And then there’s times where I’m still a child at heart (worth it!).

And when I remind myself that I have experienced all of these things with type 1 diabetes, it makes the victory even sweeter.

Diabetes Week UK runs from June 14 to June 20, 2015. Find out more about the event on the Diabetes UK website, and get involved by using the hashtag #DiabetesAndMe on social media.