Comment by SF Pete on November 6, 2010 at 11:44am

The biggest thing I've gained by having this condition is understanding food and nutrition better. I've learned that moderation isn't bad. I've also learned to put myself in someone else's shoes before speaking. Diabetes and depression have shown me that things may not be what the seem and that a little understanding goes a long way.

Comment by lotsofshots on November 6, 2010 at 1:57pm

Those are very good things to have learned.

Comment by Doris D on November 6, 2010 at 3:22pm

I go with Pete here! WELL SAID PETE!

Comment by latvianchick on November 6, 2010 at 3:24pm

I had a friend who was rather shocked to be diagnosed (though I was not). His wife asked me to write to him and try to encourage him. I went through the bit about how sorry I was to hear his diagnosis but that it can have some positive aspects too.
This is what I came up to as far as I can remember. Remember we are living in UK. Not sure if things are the same in other countries.

You know that there is something wrong and that it is not all in the mind.
You know it is not laziness when you are so exhausted and feeling too ill to move.
You get free prescriptions - whatever you need!
You get free foot care from podiatrists twice a year - when so many people cannot get an appointment.
You get priority treatment for any condition once you mention diabetes and the medics tend to take things more seriously once you tell them that you are diabetic.
You get free eye tests and spectacles.
You need to eat a healthy diet but that cannot be bad. You get to see a dietician which so many people are waiting for and never in a lifetime get to see!
(When you have a good doctor/nurse/clinic you can control it)
If you do get a hypo (which I know is inconvenient and unpleasant and sometimes downright embarrassing) - the treatment can be pleasant! You get to eat something nice - for medicinal purposes! I was having a hypo while talking to my Pastor who panicked. I asked him to get some biscuits and I was sitting there eating them and recovering when I mused "D'you know? I quite like this illness. The treatment can be very pleasant!" He laughed and said that he had never thought of it that way before - neither had I. But it is true.
We can laugh at our antics in the aftermath of a hypo.
The fact that we have it we need to look after ourselves better than the average person will make us healthier in the long run - not so much junk food etc.
Oh, and you get free flu, pneumonia jabs as priority. Except I did not get one today as I have a chest infection and therefore battling some shocking readings, but have been told that once I am better I can get one any time I need one, even out of flu jab clinic hours.
I think there were some more encouragements which at this time of night that I cannot for the life of me remember!

Comment by lotsofshots on November 6, 2010 at 4:13pm

Gosh, thank you so much, these are some really good positive benefits to think about. The UK sounds great as far as medical care goes! I love what you call what we call in the US a flu shot, a flu jab, that is exactly what they do is jab you isn't it? Sure hope your chest infection gets better along with you readings.

Comment by KimKat on November 7, 2010 at 12:31am

For me:

It has made me stronger. I think if I can handle this I could handle lots of things. I think people who can live through this day in and day out must be very strong.

I agree with empathy too. It has changed how I view those who have unfortunate things happen to them because I am now one of them! I know what it is like to be dropped in the dark hole and have to climb back out. I think that is why this is such a great place. We have all been in that hole. People who haven't will never understand.

Comment by latvianchick on November 7, 2010 at 12:40am

Well said KimKat! I am in that hole at the moment with a chest infection, consequently having to deal with the prejudices (you are drunk, you should have it under control, you should take more medicine ......) but hey, what do they know? I get it from other diabetics in the church too! But then I think, well, I am glad they are in control at the moment, but there will come a time! Each of our experiences are different but similar and if we can laugh at it then so much the better!

Comment by Peggy on November 7, 2010 at 5:04am

Absolutely.. and as a parent of a type 1 teen who also suffers from anxiety.. I have had to ask myself the same thing with respect to how it has changed me.. I am definitely more empathetic and less competetive about having high achieving kids (trust me if you are a parent, you can relate). My son has learned to take this in stride and he was even the subject of his older sisters college essay.. she wrote about how he helped her to learn not to sweat every little inconvenience in life (teenage girls can be drama queens after all). My husband and I have had a really tough year processing the fact that our son has a chronic disease.. we feel so bad for him and grieve that he cannot be a carefree as other kids his age, however, I am so proud of him because he doesn't complain about his diabetes (at least not out loud). He just deals with it.. he has made many adjustments in his life though.. and I am hoping the he will soon not feel so self conscious and not avoid social situations as much.

Comment by lotsofshots on November 7, 2010 at 9:59am

I feel that way too. I think that diabetes heightens your sense of mortality. I have respect for the elderly because I often wonder what it will be like when I get a bit older and if people will respect me if I end up frail, you have to be a strong person to lose strength of body and still maintain strength of soul.

Comment by lotsofshots on November 7, 2010 at 10:22am

I just thought of perseverance too, we have to keep up with things every day, never give up, try not to give in, no matter how crappy one might feel.

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