I’m Not Playing The Blame Game

Well, it’s day 3 of Diabetes Blog Week and today we talk about the blame game.  Except, I’m not really up to playing that game right now.  I mean, I could rant and rave about my misdiagnosis and how that happened and who is to blame for days.  I have.  But, I’m just not up to it.  That’s not why I’m here today.

Why am I here? Why are any of us here? Well…

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life.” ~ Prince

This thing called diabetes life.

That’s why I’m here. That’s why My Diabetic Heart is here. It’s here because I was diagnosed with what was long thought to be type 2 diabetes, and also with congestive heart failure, at age 24.

I started writing here as a way to document what I was going through with the scary, life changing diagnoses that had been dropped in my lap. Writing helped me then and still does when I’m able to find the time and get the words I want to say out of my head.

As I continued sharing my story through the blog and other social media avenues, I found that what I was sharing helped other people who were going through some of the same things that I was. I found people who understood. I found community. I found encouragement and support. I found people who genuinely care and many are dear friends to this day.

They are my tribe. They help me get through this thing called diabetes life. And everything else that comes along for that matter. And I love them for that.

My tribe consists of people from all walks of life. Some live with Type 1 diabetes. Some live with Type 2 diabetes. Some folks, like myself, have LADA. Some have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Some are parents of children with type 1. Some are children who have parents with diabetes. Some are spouses of PWD. Some are just friends who support the cause. And some are just Type Weird.

Personally, I think we’re all Type Screwed. And that’s what should unite all of us.

At the end of the day, regardless of the type of diabetes a person may have, there are a few things that we all need in order to live well with the hand we’ve been dealt.

We all need and deserve access to good doctors, medications and supplies, and diabetes education.

We all need and deserve proper treatment regimens, tailored to our personal diabetes management needs by our doctors and not insurance company bean counters.

And last, but just as important, we absolutely must have the love and support of family and friends. Living with all types of diabetes is hell. And we really shouldn’t have to go through this alone.

We need better. We deserve better. And together we can achieve better.

Together, we just might get through this diabetes life. Lots of Love, Everyone.

To read what others have written for today’s topic, visit the link list @ The Blame Game – Wednesday 5/17 .  

Prompt: Having diabetes often makes a visit to the doctor a dreaded experience, as there is invariably bad news of one kind or another.  And sometimes the way the doctor talks to you can leave you feeling like you’re at fault.  Or maybe you have a fantastic healthcare team, but have experienced blame and judgement from someone else in your life – friend, loved one, complete stranger.  Think about a particularly bad instance, how that person talked to you, the words they used and the conversation you had.  Now, the game part.  Let’s turn this around.  If you could turn that person into a puppet, what would you have them say that would leave you feeling empowered and good about yourself?   Let’s help teach people how to support us, rather than blame us!  (Thank you, Brian, for inspiring this topic.)