World Diabetes Day.

Today is World Diabetes Day, but unfortunately for those of us living with this disease every day is WDD. Each day we test our blood sugar multiple times, dose insulin, take pills, try to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and worry about complications, all while attempting to a live a normal life. We can’t just pick a day out of the year to be aware of our Diabetes because it’s always there. I’m glad that the disease is getting world wide recognition, but I wish it didn’t even exist in the first place. I just can’t be the picture of positivity when there are millions of children and adults living with this disease, many of whom do not have access to quality medical treatment. It just doesn't feel right to wish you a Happy World Diabetes Day, because why should we be happy that there is no cure, that each day more children and adults are being diagnosed, that some will die before they even get treatment? We shouldn't. We should let today serve as a reminder to continue working towards better treatment and ultimately a cure. 

From my sister on WDD

This is something my sister emailed me yesterday. She asked if I would post it today. So here it is:

Being the good sister that I am/try to be, I was reading Jillian’s blog today and clicked on a few of the other blogs she has links for. I came across an article mentioning Inspired By Diabetes and I thought to myself, maybe I should write something about how Jillian’s diabetes has affected me. So here goes.

These are things I remember about when Jillian was initially diagnosed with Type 1 (I was turning 12 in 2 weeks):

- How scared I was when the school nurse buzzed my classroom and told me to come to the office for early dismissal

- The look of dread on my parents’ faces when Jillian and I met them in the hall

- Going to the dietician and learning about carbs and practicing putting air into insulin vials and drawing it into syringes

- Getting fat because I tried to be supportive and ate everything Jillian was eating for breakfast: eggs, toast, juice, milk, cereal

- Trying diet soda and hating it

These are things I don’t remember about that time:

- My 12th birthday

- Christmas that year

There are things I’ll never forget:

- Jillian screaming while my parents held her down in order to give her her shots. That look of fear was just too much.

- Feeling horrible when I had to help hold her down

- How proud I was of Jillian when she started to give herself her shots

- How proud I am of Jillian for taking control and deciding to choose an insulin pump

- How special it made me feel to be included in her process of researching and choosing which pump to go with (I guess that’s what big sisters are for though)

Now for something I don’t like talking about very much. I used to be very jealous of Jillian. In my eyes, my parents were so consumed with taking care of her, that they didn’t have time for me. It was a lonely time for me. Probably the first time I ever felt depressed. Many times I wished it was me that was the diabetic not her. I wish I could say it was an altruistic thought—that I wanted to spare her from the pain and protect her. But it wasn’t. I wanted someone to pay attention to me, to go out of his or her way for me, to forget everything else for me.

I could never be a diabetic. I pass out almost every time I have my blood drawn. I hate pricking my finger, the few times I’ve actually done it. It hurts sooooooo much. Also, diet soda is gross. (For those of you who don’t know, while I didn’t get my “wish” for Type I, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at age 15, all though it is not the same.). But really, the point I’m trying to make is that diabetes touches more than just the person receiving the diagnosis—it touches siblings, parents, friends, and lovers. On this World Diabetes Day, I’d like to say to my sister and to all diabetics (Type I’s especially) that I’m so proud of you. For dealing with everything you go though in your daily lives with diabetes. You are not alone, you are not the only ones who are aware, and there are others who are just as ready for a cure.

WDD...

I don't exactly know how I feel about all the hoopla today. On one hand I am excited and happy, that the UN is recognizing what today is, and I know that is a huge deal. But then the pessimistic side of me wonders, if the focus on Diabetes in Children and Adolescents is really going to be enough. Is one day focusing on that theme going to be enough, with all the confusion out there about the types of diabetes? I know I'm lucky to be able to have certain access to technology to help me control this disease. But I don't want to control it, I want it to go away. Not just for me, but for the countless kids all over the world who have been diagnosed, those who are yet to be, and those who might never be and will not be treated. I don't want this day to pass by and then have the month end, and where will we be? Still waiting for a cure. I don't really know if this is a "Happy" World Diabetes Day. I would be happier if there were no such thing as diabetes and then we wouldn't need one stinking day of the year to be heard. In my world everyday is a World Diabetes Day, and until there is a cure it will remain that way. The day is young, and I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens...

Lots o' Links

Tomorrow, November 14th, 2007 is World Diabetes Day.
If you haven't already done it, add a campaign banner to your blog or website.

Also go check out Diabetes Mine for more information about this survey.
So give your opinion and support diabetes technology.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the TuDiabetes "Word In Your Hand" Video.
You might just see a few familiar hands and faces.


Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes


And finally, the 3rd Annual Diabetes O.C. Awards are upon us.
Now it is time for the nomination process.
For the link to vote check out Allison's lastest post.
Don't forget to drop her a comment to thank her for all of her hardwork!

Back tomorrow for the big day!