Dan's Story

Becoming a Type 1 Diabetic has changed everything for me.

 November 19th 2011, lying there in a hospital bed, hooked up to a drip extremely ill, trying to take stock of what was going on so suddenly was tremendously difficult.

No matter what anyone says or does, having a condition (or disease, depending on your outlook) does weigh on your mind and body. For me Type 1 diabetes is never far from what I’m thinking about - whether it's making sure I'm ok to exercise, or what I'm eating, the stress of a full time job and making sure it doesn't affect my glucose levels to just my general day to day lifestyle, how I sleep, when I go out. 

A lot of what we see in the media regarding diabetes is largely negative. And for the most part, living with this condition can be. It’s not the ideal. No-one ever chooses to have an auto-immune disorder. It’s tough. Some days it’s unrelenting. It’s always there. Never goes away. Never gives you a real break. Constant calculations, adjustments, injections, testing.

People often ask me, what would you do if there was a cure tomorrow? And honestly, it would be to relax fully.

But there are positives.

Without it I wouldn't have developed the level of understanding of managing my own health.

I wouldn't have found an enjoyment for learning about nutrition and fitness.

I wouldn't have met some amazing people who have shown incredible strength to live with the same disease as me via the #doc (Diabetic Online Community for those who aren't aware).

I wouldn't have found new physical and mental strengths.

I wouldn't have pushed myself to achieve certain goals in order to prove that diabetes doesn't hold me back.

I wouldn't have started my blog.

So I am I thankful to be a diabetic?

Yes. I suppose I am.

Diabetes should never hold you back from achieving what you want to do. It's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. And you're part of a wonderful community who help and support each other! It allows you to find new strengths, to push yourself, to find out what your body can achieve after it's turned its back on you.

Yes it's hard, but finding the ability to deal with it every day is a huge accomplishment in itself. Everyone who is reading this who has managed to develop good control should be very proud of themselves. And for those of you who are still struggling - read as much as you can on managing your condition, ask questions of as many people who can help you as possible and do your best to learn how your own body acts. Don’t beat yourself up after one bad day. You’re doing your best.

Keep going.

You are the master of your own diabetes management.

Dan Piper