Six Things About Diabetes

Today, November 9, 2010, is the D-Blog Day.  Many thanks to Gina Capone for keeping this event going for the last 5 years.  This year’s topic is: 6 things you want people to know about diabetes.

I’ve thought long and hard about all of the things that I would like people to know about diabetes, and, to be honest, I’ve struggled to narrow the list down to six.  Nevertheless, here are the top 6 things I want you to know about diabetes.

1)  Diabetes is NOT a “one size fits all” disease.  There are different types and different treatment options for each of them, and no two people have the exact same diagnosis story.

2) Type 1 Diabetes is not just a childhood disease; those children become adults.  And Type 2 Diabetes is not just an adulthood disease. Children are diagnosed with it, too.

3) Being able to stop taking oral medications and manager your blood glucose with diet and exercise alone DOES NOT mean you’ve been cured of type 2 diabetes.

4) Diabetes complications are not something that only occur years after being diagnosed.  My complications were present at the time I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

5) Life doesn’t end just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Not only have I been given a second chance at life because of it, but my eyes have been opened to the way I should have been living all along.

6) People living with all types of diabetes do NOT deserve the criticism, snarky comments, and guilt trips that are constantly thrown at us on a daily basis.  Life with diabetes is a bitch and, unfortunately, there is no cure.  And until the day that a cure is found arrives, we need the love, support, and understanding of those around us.

For more info on D-Blog Day, and a list of posts from other D-Bloggers, click the link below.