Type 1 Diabetes
Many people do not realize that there are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Anytime you listen to the news, reports show the increase of obesity and diabetes among Americans. But what you may not realize is that they are talking about Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease where the person is completely insulin dependent. Type 1 has nothing to do with the person’s lifestyle, is not preventable, and so far cannot be reversed.
Type 1 is close to my heart because it runs in my family. My late grandfather had it, my aunt has had it since she was a teen, and my youngest brother was diagnosed when he was a toddler. While some may see this disease to be the “end all”, to the rest it may be the “beginning of all”. From a positive aspect, you become more in-tune with your body and it’s needs. Living with diabetes makes you a more responsible person and forces you to lead a healthy lifestyle. And, you may not realize that you become part of a group of extraordinary individuals who live with the same disease.
The beautiful actress Halle Berry, teen heartthrob Nick Jonas, and rocker Brett Michaels all have to prick their fingers several times a day and receive insulin injections. Swimmer Gary Hall Jr. won several Olympic medals after being diagnosed and told that he could never be strong enough to compete in such a challenging competition. The third female Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was diagnosed when she was only 8 years old, while the current NFL Bear’s quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed in his mid-twenties. What do all these celebrities have in common? They never allowed diabetes to hold them back or interfere with their dreams.
Eat healthy, prick often and remain positive!
“Sometimes life brings out its complications and some hardships, but you know, it`s how we deal with them that counts.” – quote by Nick Jonas
One Response to “Type 1 Diabetes”
Great post. Thank you for writing this, it means a lot. xox