One of the good things of type 1!
After my last post, I thought I should look at the lighter side of diabetes. And today, because I’m kicking diabetes’ backside, I thought I’d try to think about the good things about having type 1. Also, I love a good list, and using dot points gets me more than a little excited. (Nerdy much, Renza?)
Now, I know that celebrating defunct islet cells sounds a little like dancing on a grave, but I’d argue that it’s not. It’s a way of putting a positive spin on something that a lot of the time just plain sucks! So here is what makes me smile about having type 1:
- The people I’ve met. Some of my dearest friends have type 1 diabetes and I met them through doing my job. I get to be inspired each and every day by these amazing people.
- Kellion medalists. Chatting with folks who have lived with type 1 for 50, 60, 70 and 75 years is nothing short of life-changing. And I get to do it every year thanks to my job!
- So – based on the previous two – my job! I fell into this job – it’s certainly not something that I ever thought I’d do. But having diabetes changed a lot of things including my career plans. (And really, who was ever going to make a living as a classically trained flute player. Seriously!)
- Understanding tough times means celebrating the good ones.
- Pushing in line at chocolate shops. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – being hypo gives you permission to do a lot of things and pushing in at Haigh’s is one of them!
- Being an expert at something.
- And knowing how to spell words like endocrinologist; betahydroxybutyrate; ophthalmologist…. And have them roll off the tongue with ease. If only I could find a way to use them in Scrabble.
- Watching how people react when I say ‘I’m high’.
- Having had a healthy baby, despite being told it wouldn’t happen.
- Gettin’ good at maths. Carb counting will do that for you!
- There is a Hogwarts connection! My smart pump has a ‘bolus wizard’. I’m, like, so Hermione Grainger!
- Loving the irony of having the world’s largest container of Chupa Chups on my desk and being the one people come to when they need a ‘sugar fix’.
My ‘what I hate list’ is probably five times as long as this one. But today, it’s puppy dogs and bowls of cherries for me.
Renza Scibilia is the Manager of Type 1 Diabetes and Community Programs at DA–Vic. She has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1998. The opinions and thoughts expressed in her occasional blogs are her own.
Always a joy to read…..brought a smile to my face…I too am HYPO when it comes to pushing in choccie lines
I love your blog!! So, I thought I would think of the positive things I experience:
* Our meals are more varied and interesting since being introduced to herbs and spices
* I have learnt about protein, carbs, etc
* I am more aware of healthy eating and lifestyle
* I joined a gym and learnt boxing!! And weights, and Fit ball, and cycling, and so on and so on.
* When invited out for dinner I can indicate that I prefer to eat at a certain time
* I get to carry a large handbag with all sorts of goodies.
* The expression on people’s faces when I say that I am going to ‘shoot up’!
* The friends I have made.
* The increased number of luches I attend because of our support group.
* Not sure about the increased maths knowledge because of carb counting but, it’s a thought.
* The empathy I have developed with people who have chronic conditions.
It is sometimes a good idea to concentrate on the positives instead of the negatives. Pity I can’t do it all the time.
That was gorgeous Renza – love your work as always
Love the way you write Renza! Made me smile thank you. Today d has been part of our families life for 2years. For me a bittersweet day, having a child with d means always being prepared !! Oh with yummy stuff, … Jelly beans everywhere we go !!! Type 1 really isn’t much fun really but we have been privileged to met many lovely inspiring real people whom totally understand our lives the good bits n not so good . If d wasn’t in our life we would never have met these wonderful people…..
Like the Hogwarts connection…and having the healthy baby….its all good
Nicely done Renza, made me smile. I think the best thing is getting to know a wide variety of people who deal with this as well and finding out what does and doesn’t work for them. I love the look on most peoples faces when you have a fund raiser and you are selling chocolates. the look of confusion on there face when they say “selling chocolates for diabetes”. Always a good chance to explain the differences between T1 and 2
The only good thing I find is that we never have to wait in the crowded emergency department waiting room. Another good thing is that we have only had to visit ED twice in 3 years.
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I feel a bit of a fake having only just been diagnosed with Type 2, but I’m enjoying learning from the experts, thank you!