"Is diabetes really that bad?"

*My Challenge to you*

I have a challenge for you newly-diagnosed diabetics.

Ask yourself, "is diabetes really that bad?"

"How could this be worse?"

"How can I use this new 'obstacle' to help others?"

"How can I be happy living with this 'disease'?"

Q:1 "Is diabetes really that bad?"

What do you think?
I think that if you think it is just terrible living with diabetes, you need a major attitude change! Keep reading to see what I mean.

Q:2 "How could this be worse?"
There you go, that is the question you should ask yourself. As you read on you will be able to see how it is much worse for others...some of them younger than you!

I stayed at the hospital for three days (not bad compared to some) when I was newly diagnosed.

My room was on the children's floor. While I was there I noticed other children whose situation was definitely worse than my own.

I saw children who were diagnosed with cancer or coming back for radiation and chemotherapy.

I was not in a particularly good situation myself. After all the doctors said that I could have died and still could if I did not be careful and attentive to my health. I was in the hospital after all!

Yet instead of feeling sorry for myself and having a pity party about my own pitiful situation, I witnessed other children who had to go through so much more than I and I prayed for them.

I had so wished that I could have given up my room for someone else who had it worse than I. I would have gladly slept on the couch. After all I felt fine except for always being thirsty, having a huge headache and having to go to the bathroom all the time. That, I believed, I could live with while other children...much younger than I...had to deal with more pain and definite weakness than myself.

I thanked God many times for giving me diabetes and not cancer!

There are also other young children who have only a year or two to live and are not yet sixteen, and yet I am guaranteed to live until I'm old! Looking at those odds I can definitely be thankful for what I have. Now do you know what I mean?

Q:3 "How can I use this new 'obstacle' to help others?"
Well, I have done so by just being myself and not drawing attention to the fact that I am a diabetic. Most of all just by taking care of myself!

I spent the whole summer away from home working at a Camp in northern Michigan one year and I was solely responsible for my own health.

Of course there were camp nurses to help me if I had a problem but for the most part I was in charge of my own health care.

Because I took care of myself so well, everyone (including the nurses) felt comfortable with me doing whatever I wanted. Not to mention I was able to do my job more efficiently not having to deal with a lot of lows and highs in my blood sugar.

Because I was efficient with my work I received many letters, emails, and little gifts telling my how thankful people were for my help, efficiency and reliability.

Though I didn't get to tell many people about my diabetes I didn't have to. Just by living a normal life, I was able to help people through my work.

Another way I have chosen to help people is having this website! Yep! This website...I am hoping...will help many people with and without diabetes.

Q:4 "How can I be happy living with diabetes?"
Well, I mentioned before that by taking into consideration that others have it worse than you, you can be thankful for your diabetes.

Yes be thankful!

It is all in your attitude!

Take care of yourself, care for others, don't pity yourself or make others pity you, and go out and be different.

Don't be afraid to be different! When someone asks you "don't you ever ask yourself 'why me?'" Don't say, 'yes I do!' Ask them 'why should I? Why not me?'

You have this 'disease' for a reason! Find out that reason (like me building a website etc...) and share it with others.

I love living with diabetes! I don't necessarily like poking myself or injecting insulin, I'm just so used to the routine of it and practicing a good attitude about it that I can now say I love it!

I love sharing my joy with other people!

I love the fact that I have been given a wonderful opportunity to minister to others through my "handicap."

A step to having the right attitude is not dwelling on that fact that you have a "disease," but rather be thankful that you don't have something worse!

Count your blessings instead of your misfortunes.

Stop making people feel sorry for you and give your attitude a complete makeover!



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