Type Two

Who is educating type 2 diabetics? Are type 2 diabetics being diagnosed and sent off on their own? Why do type 2 diabetics not even know what type of diabetes they have? What is going on?

I am not a type 2 diabetic, I am type 1 and the whole whose what type is a big to do in the diabetic community. Frankly, it comes from stereotypes, if I were to ask the average joe what a diabetic looks like some words might be like fat, old, obese, lazy etc. Well, I am none of those things, yet I hold the name diabetic.

When someone hears that a child with diagnosed with diabetes, their reactions are, "Oh, they must have ate a lot of candy!" or "Child Obesity, shame on the fast food industry." There are so many negative stereotypes connected to diabetes that it is disgusting; however, there are many other things that hold stereotypes in particular race, gender and religion.

My main concern is that type 2 diabetics have no clue what diabetes is all about. They seem to be given a pill thinking that will be the cure all and they are expected to control by diet and fitness. As much as I hate taking needles and wearing a pump, I cannot imagine trying to manage diabetes with a simple pill and lack of education.

Can you imagine? Being diagnosed with diabetes (the disease of fat and old people) and then given one single pill to take for the day. Yes, type 2's are producing some insulin, but what about those who aren't and don't even know that insulin is an option or know how insulin can help them.

Now, I don't usually talk about type 2 diabetes and I hate when people think that I have type 2 or try to tell me that I must because I am not a 'juvenile' however, as I listen to type 2's speak about their diabetes I wonder if they even know what they have?

At Clinton's hockey there is an older man has type 2 diabetes and last night he asked what I was doing when I was checking my sugar....wait, what? I don't know if he even checks his sugar or not, but the thought of me checking my sugar was a little foreign to him was alarming. He also insisted that I was cheating by taking insulin for my hot chocolate...that also confused me - does he not know that taking insulin is not cheating; rather, part of my life.

See, this man does take insulin, in fact he takes one injection of triple the amount of insulin I take a day. He eats horribly at the games and laughs it off by making the hand motions of a pen injection to his arm to me. It just makes me wonder if this man has any idea what diabetes is all about and if he really knows the complications it brings.

I know in my family my grandparents who are both type 2 are not so familiar with the disease. They had diabetes before I did and to this day I am constantly teaching them different things despite are differences in medication and treatment. My Grandma and Grandpa were not educated on eating habits, etc. they both rely on my knowledge to help control their diabetes.

Maybe there is something I don't know that is going on behind the scenes for type 2's. I don't like bashing type 2's because I know many people that have it. Even though type 1's have more fun (Haha!) we are all dealing with a handicap pancreas! We all deserve some education on the topic.

Kayla

I am Diabetic

Recently there was a poll on Facebook presumably started by a diabetic asking whether diabetics preferred to be called, "Diabetics" or "People with Diabetes" this really made me think because I just automatically call myself a diabetic. The issue isn't really as deep as it seems; however, many can contemplate on whether or not they feel that diabetes is a part of them or well, all of them.

We say things all the time that reflect the same kind of logic, I am a person who graduated from Fanshawe or I am a graduate of Fanshawe or I am a sister of Abby or I am a Sister. These are labels that we place on ourselves without thinking. These things are what makes us who we are and usually they come with time, I wasn't a 'Sister' until Abby was born etc.

Two years ago I was given the label diabetic and mainly that label was given to me by myself. Many doctor's just say, "This Patient has diabetes" but the majority of diabetics simply just call themselves by the label. Diabetes isn't just something we have, it is something we live.

148 people in the poll so far have said that they prefer to be called diabetic while 108 prefer to be called a person with diabetes. So, I guess there isn't really an outstanding number of people who feel that they prefer to be called, diabetic. For me, diabetic is all of me, it makes me who I am of course like mentioned before I am many other things as well.

Diabetes is a huge part of my life, it isn't a pill a take every single day and not worry about. It isn't something that I can go a day without thinking about or handling. Diabetes is a part of me and I am a diabetic.

Kayla

Experience Behind My Belt

This Wednesday I will be running a booth with the help of two fellow Slipstreamers, Kirsten and Jenn R. I am really looking forward to this because unlike two years ago when I was sitting in the chairs listening to people talk about diabetes - just being diagnosed. I have my own booth to talk about my experiences with diabetes and Connected in Motion.

It's amazing how things can change is such little time. It blows my mind with all that I have gone through and accomplished. I have endless amounts of experience behind my belt now and now it's time to start sharing those experiences with other diabetics that are the very spot that I was in two years ago.

I love making change, and if I could meet every diabetic in the world and share with them my experiences and inspirations - I would. There is nothing in the world that I love more than helping other people and I cannot wait for my life to unfold and more opportunities to arise.

Kayla

Not One Thing

As children we are brought up to be just one thing. We are asked, "What do you want to be?" and we usually respond with, "A mom!" "A Princess" "A Firefighter" or "The Tooth Fairy!" We don't decide that we are going to be a mom and a princess or a tooth fairy that also fights fire. We simply just choose one thing. This mentality doesn't really change - we find ourselves picking courses in high school beyond the standardized ones that we think will help us figure out what we want to be. We are thrown off when we realize we are good at English, but really enjoy baking. We can never just choose one, yet we feel obliged too.

Soon we move to college, maybe University and get into a program that will lead us to what we decided we want to be and if it gets us there that's good, but we might change our minds and pick another path. But, has anyone really figured out that we can be many things not just one?

In the past two years - writing has been therapy for me and it has really helped me figure out just who I am. Mixed with many things I have discovered that I am more than what I have desired to be - a teacher. I can and will be so many different things because I am good at several things not just one. So is everyone else - we are all so talented at various things like the clerk that bags your groceries who draws incredible portraits or the CEO that plays the piano. We are all multi-talented and not meant to be just one thing.

Kayla

Age Doesn't Matter

Thinking back to slipstream, I think one of the most common questions was, "when were you diagnosed?" Even on the paper that was stuck to the wall of all of our thoughts, input etc. Someone started a "When were you diagnosed?" poll.

I personally find it interesting to know when someone was diagnosed and I tend to ask the same question when I meet a diabetic. The age gap ranges from like three years of age to 40 - it's really amazing. It makes me realize despite all sharing the same disease - how diverse it truly can be.

For me, being diagnosed at age eighteen going on nineteen I felt that if there was ever a time to get type 1 diabetes it was a good time. I mean I was moving to London to live away from home and I was starting my first year of college, but hey! it was a fresh start to a whole new life.

At age eighteen I had experienced eighteen years of not ever having to poke myself or test my sugar. I never had to experience what it felt like being told you cannot have that or feeling like I was different from my peers. I can only imagine what a child must go through as a diabetic sitting at a kids birthday party (the mothers must be so nervous to approach the poor diabetic kid). I was never a 'diabetic kid' and I can only imagine the obstacles that a child faces when living with diabetes.

On Friday, Michelle asked me what would I rather, being diagnosed at eighteen or being diagnosed as a child? I wasn't sure if anyone had ever really asked me this directly; however, I had thought about it. Either it's all you have known your whole life or you got a little bit of a run at being 'normal' 'average' and then it was time to learn what it means to be diabetic.

I pretty much decided that I was okay with when I was diagnosed, but I wouldn't be to keen on being diagnosed at say, eleven to fourteen. It just seems like that is just a super inconvenient and fragile time to be diagnosed with the disease, but it happens and I know people it has happened to.

I continued this conversation with Mitch who was diagnosed at age four, completely different end of the spectrum. He really doesn't know any different and while I celebrated my two years at age twenty he celebrated his two years at age six. He more so spoke to the benefit of being diagnosed at this time rather than age. We now have better ways of managing diabetes, simpler, more convenient and less isolation happens. We have amazing support groups that are taking place on Facebook etc.

So, this made me think - for the potential diabetic whether that occurs at age four, eleven, eighteen or thirty-five...it's going to be a shock, a complete adjustment and there will be devastation and fear. However, with where we are in medicine and support, this isn't a bad time to be diagnosed because there is hope, treatment and the right to live a fun, active, inspirational life!

Kayla

What you don't know - doesn't matter?

Okay, how many diabetics believe that if you don't check your sugar than it's off the record; therefore, who will ever know? I am so like this, it seems that if I know I am definitely high than I am less likely to check to make it a fact because I don't want it to be a fact. We all know that our nurses and endos love to go through our numbers and make plans for us, but what we don't track doesn't count.

What a horrible message I am putting out and I know that it is important to check your sugar and I do check regularly about 4-7 times a day; however, sometimes you just rather not know how much you overindulged. After all you're feeling guilt eating the piece of cake just for the caloric index, let alone for what it did to your blood sugars!

Basically I believe that I am not the only one who feels like if we don't check now it doesn't count. We can just give ourselves a couple shots of insulin and maybe one more for good luck and check in an hour when we feel it will be more appropriate!

It's just a diabetics mentality right?

Kayla

Two Years

Today is the big day - two years ago I had spent today sitting in a waiting room at my family doctors being told that I had diabetes by a supply doctor who didn't even know my name. He made calls while he swapped me in and out of the room and I was there until the lights went out in the waiting room.

I was in the room that was mostly meant for babies and their mothers - I remember reading the posters on the wall of how big your baby should be at specific points in their life. I had no idea that I was about to begin a crazy adventure unlike anything a poster could ever point out.

I was told despite having a sugar of 24 that I could drive home and pack my bags to be emitted to the hospital - I didn't even cry on the way home. I don't remember what I was thinking I simply went home and my mom had already began packing for me and was ready to drive me to the hospital.

In the emergency room I took a bed that I felt was more deserving to someone else. I was not sick, I was not dying, I did not need that bed. There were people so sick and frail lined up in the hallways and there I was sitting up right, feet dangling off the side of the bed, fully dressed in the clothes I had worn that day. I remember thinking, "I probably should have showered this morning" I didn't know I'd be seeing this many people.

My mom and dad sat beside with me most of the time and eventually Clinton came. I cannot remember how many times I asked, "is this like, serious?" Wow, did I not know anything or what? The doctors weren't too picky on watching me and they never even fed me at dinner, so my parents got me a sandwich from Tim Hortons. Maybe this is why I didn't think it was too serious?

I remember it was nearing midnight when Clinton was suggesting he let me rest (I was still in the E.R) My parents had already left and he had just sat bedside next to me as we laughed about the person beside us that was visiting a relative talking about all the spicy food you can get at Popeye's, "spicy chicken, spicy rice, spicy fries..." When he suggested leaving I instantly broke down. I did not want to be left alone.

Eventually I was taken to my room on the 8th floor (paediatrics) and for some reason they insisted on wheeling me in my bed when I clearly could have walked. I never met my roommate that night, but I heard her voice and was scared for some reason. Clinton eventually left with the nurses order and I didn't feel so alone with the nurse by my side.

Well it turned out that my roommate was a lovely 80 or so old woman and I stayed in that room for 4 days with her, often leaving to walk around (and getting in trouble for doing so!) I spent some time in the playroom watching t.v while the other kids played, after all I was eighteen, I could have been the playroom babysitter.

Those moments are so vivid in my mind and I know I must have wrote about them before. It feels like just yesterday, yet I cannot imagine my life without diabetes. It has become a part of me that will never and can never be erased. At times I wish that there was no such thing and wonder why me? what in the world did I do to deserve such a thing? But I know I did nothing wrong - diabetes isn't given to someone because they are a bad person.

Diabetes is something that I can handle. I can handle this disease and it is not taking over my life. I can control my diabetes as much as it requires my undivided attention most of the time. These past two years have been a roller coaster, but for the most part I have been riding a smooth ride.

I have been completely blessed and that is the first time I have ever said that. When I look back on these past two years I have grown so much and I have gained so much. I have felt what it feels like to be alive emotionally and physically. I am the best me that I can be because of this disease.

If this is what can happen in two years, I look forward to the many, many, many other years that are to come. I feel amazing and wouldn't trade my life for another any day. I am the most grateful today than I ever have been. I am grateful for being alive, healthy and loved.

Thank you to every single person who has entered my life with all intentions to be there for me, support me and inspire me. Thank you for giving me the strength and courage and the motivation to continue what I do. My blogs would have never been so impact-full and full of endless chapters if it wasn't for my dedicated readers.

Thank you for the best two years of my life.

Kayla