25 years of diabetes and me...

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This year marked 25 years of being a Type 1 diabetic. Unsurprisingly I have mixed feelings about this; on one hand I am proud that I have made it this far (not an easy task at times) and on the other I am cross that I have had to. I have written before about my diabetes but basically I was diagnosed not long before my eight birthday and my whole life changed overnight...


As I have got older, I am glad I was diagnosed young - it meant I was able to do my own injections etc. from day one - whilst being mindful of the emotional toll this took on me. The constant mental maths, the near death experiences, it's not something I would wish on my worst enemy, let alone a child. 

 For a long time I didn't fully understand what was wrong with me (healthcare professionals always talking about you, not to you will do that!) but it made me feel inferior and I spent a long time rebelling against being ill, my teenage years were not my happiest, let's put it that way!



For a long time, I resisted the label of being disabled but now I would say I am disabled and proud. Recognising the limitations that my body has, has actually been strangely freeing rather than stifling. The internet has made meeting other diabetics easier and has made me feel less alone and the memes are excellent

Writing about it is bringing up a lot of feelings (probably something to discuss in future therapy sessions!) but I am proud of myself for getting this far. Please do let me know if you have any questions about diabetes, I am more than happy to answer them 😃

Have you hugged your favourite diabetic today?
Maria xx

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