January 28th, 1984 I checked into Children’s Hospital after my pediatrician cried expressing her worst fear – I had type 1 diabetes. I shared my diagnosis day in this POST I wrote in the first few months of DiabetesDailyGrind. I wept as I recalled the days events that changed my life. SO many emotions surfaced – sadness, anger, fear and all things doom and gloom. 32 years later I choose to celebrate. Diabetes has been a large contributor to building my character and I have a magnificent life. There’s NO room for doom and gloom (wow – that kind of rhymed)!
This video we created a few years ago is an accurate representation of my diabetes state of mind while growing up. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m stubborn or insanely optimistic, but I chose not to live in a bubble. Don’t get me wrong, there have been plenty of times throughout my life where T1D made me think twice about something, but it never kept me from pursuing what I set out to achieve.
It’s easy to jump on the pitty-potty bandwagon, but these days I let that wagon pass on by. In the past three years, diabetes has brought me to my true calling and close friendships have evolved from sharing stories of the real life with this disease. I get the opportunity to show someone newly diagnosed that the sky is the limit, impact children’s lives and hopefully set a few parent’s minds at ease. My life has purpose and I never dreamt diabetes would be such a positive impact.
On this day each year moving forward – I will raise my glass and celebrate! I’m alive and I love myself exactly as I am – diabetes and all.
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Congratulations on all that you’ve achieved. I wish you continued good health and success!
p.s. I think I’ll need several boxes of candles. I was dx in 1955, will celebrate in March.