Personal Narrative: Living With Type 1 Diabetes
I was four years old when my life came to a crashing stop. I have had people tell me that there is no way that I could so clearly remember something that happened to me at just four years old. My family has filled in some details for me, but there are things that I remember as if they only happened yesterday. It all started during the last week of January 2000. I had caught a cold. It was no big deal. A couple of days of rest and some fluids and I would be just fine. At least that is what the doctors told my parents. Why then, after a couple of days was my condition only worsening? After fighting the cold for one week things took a turn for the worst. I was drinking more than I ever had before. However, I could not keep any liquids in me.
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In fact, I am often thankful for the hand I have been dealt. First and foremost, I am happy that I am the one with diabetes and not my brother or sister. I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy. Second, my diabetes has shaped me into the person I am today. Diabetes taught me to be responsible at a very young age. At four years old I had to learn the science, math, and statistics to keep myself alive. People often say that diabetics are scientists, mathematicians, and doctors all in one. Diabetes has also taught me a lot of patience and that things do not always (sometimes even rarely) go my way. As fast as technology changes, so do my medical needs. From day to day my insulin needs change and I have had to learn to incorporate that into my already busy and sometimes stressful life. Lastly, diabetes has brought me friends that I now call family. For ten years I got to attend a week long summer camp that was for type 1 diabetics only. Often times diabetes can feel quite lonely. There are times when I feel as though no one understands what I am going through. Then I remember that I have my camp friends. Even though we have not attended camp for the last three years we still all talk almost every day and get together every once in a while. At any given time I can call them and they will know exactly what I am going through. They are some of the strongest and most supportive people that I
In fact, I am often thankful for the hand I have been dealt. First and foremost, I am happy that I am the one with diabetes and not my brother or sister. I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy. Second, my diabetes has shaped me into the person I am today. Diabetes taught me to be responsible at a very young age. At four years old I had to learn the science, math, and statistics to keep myself alive. People often say that diabetics are scientists, mathematicians, and doctors all in one. Diabetes has also taught me a lot of patience and that things do not always (sometimes even rarely) go my way. As fast as technology changes, so do my medical needs. From day to day my insulin needs change and I have had to learn to incorporate that into my already busy and sometimes stressful life. Lastly, diabetes has brought me friends that I now call family. For ten years I got to attend a week long summer camp that was for type 1 diabetics only. Often times diabetes can feel quite lonely. There are times when I feel as though no one understands what I am going through. Then I remember that I have my camp friends. Even though we have not attended camp for the last three years we still all talk almost every day and get together every once in a while. At any given time I can call them and they will know exactly what I am going through. They are some of the strongest and most supportive people that I