I would like to ask for help

[Samjuwel]

Hi,

I would like to ask for help.

I have had type one diabetes since I was two years old (2002). Throughout my childhood this fact played a big role in the unconscious development of paradigms which strongly dictate all aspects of my present life.

For example: as a diabetic I am pushed to have control over my thoughts, my body and over external circumstances. This heightened urge of control is a good thing when it comes to diabetes but it imprisons me and tears my dreams apart. Therefore I rather avoid putting myself into situations over which I don't have control. I sabotage myself.

I would like to learn and develop myself to use diabetes to my advantage as a superpower🙂 So I'd be very grateful for some advice.

Thank you, Sam

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Samjuwel 🙂 You’ve identified the problem so you’ve completed the first step in solving it🙂 Controlling diabetes is good, of course, but we need to have a life too, so it’s possible to be too focussed on it. Remember - perfection is impossible. That applies to diabetes and to life in general.

What kind of things in your life do you feel you avoid or sabotage? (If you’re happy to give some examples)

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Samjuwel

Interesting post.

Living with type 1 diabetes can have profound impact on your mental health - however, looked at in a different light, it can also offer opportunities to develop positive attributes including determination, planning, empathy, responsibility, flexibility, porblem solving and self-control.

Interesting that you mentioned superpowers.

Have you seen this graphic novel designed for youngsters?

https://revolvecomics.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/diabetes-t1-comic-low-res1.pdf

Additionally I always quite liked this whiteboard animation Diabetes Makes You Stronger - though that may be a bit too much of a positive take for some.

 

[Samjuwel]

Welcome @Samjuwel 🙂 You’ve identified the problem so you’ve completed the first step in solving it🙂 Controlling diabetes is good, of course, but we need to have a life too, so it’s possible to be too focussed on it. Remember - perfection is impossible. That applies to diabetes and to life in general.

What kind of things in your life do you feel you avoid or sabotage? (If you’re happy to give some examples)

Hi @Inca

Thank you for the warm welcome to the forum 🙂 I very much value your suporting words concerning a “perfect life” with diabetes.

I'm grateful for your interest in specific ways how I limit myself. The following is one example that I'd like to share.

People around me don't notice that I have diabetes. I have learned to act in such a manner because I would find it a weakness if someone would recognize that something is off. For example, while checking my glucose and giving myself insulin, I act in such a manner that people don't notice. It's the subtle things like how I position myself in a room and wait till no one's looking. When I have low glucose, I go into a primal state where I seek the most optimal and efficient way how to survive. In this state my body and mind are screaming death and nothing else then food matters. I've learned to control this state to such a level that no one recognizes something is wrong. Even if low glucose visibly hinders my success, I will rather let others think that I am less capable than admit that I have low glucose.

Thank you, Sam

 

[Samjuwel]

Welcome to the forum @Samjuwel

Interesting post.

Living with type 1 diabetes can have profound impact on your mental health - however, looked at in a different light, it can also offer opportunities to develop positive attributes including determination, planning, empathy, responsibility, flexibility, porblem solving and self-control.

Interesting that you mentioned superpowers.

Have you seen this graphic novel designed for youngsters?

https://revolvecomics.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/diabetes-t1-comic-low-res1.pdf

Additionally I always quite liked this whiteboard animation Diabetes Makes You Stronger - though that may be a bit too much of a positive take for some.

Hi @everydayupsanddowns

Thank you for listing the positive attributes, I can see myself in some of them.

For example: thanks to diabetes my cognitive flexibility and the capability of forethought are developed. I've observed that when my conscious mind focuses on the task at hand, my intuition perceives the factors influencing my blood glucose level and forecasts it automatically.

I'm on a path to develop a heightened awareness of my blood glucose level. So, I'd like to ask if there is anyone who has any experience with developing this heightened awareness? In general, if you have any advice how to capitalize on the lessons diabetes has taught you, I would be very grateful if you share it.

Thank you for posting the graphic novel I didn't know it before, and it brought me great value.

Regarding the whiteboard animation it's my cup of tea and I'm eager to learn more down that lane.

Thank you, Sam

 

[Inka]

“People around me don't notice that I have diabetes. I have learned to act in such a manner because I would find it a weakness if someone would recognize that something is off.”

Thank you for giving an example @Samjuwel 🙂 The first thing that strikes me is how do you feel about other people with medical conditions? I’m sure you don’t think they’re weak, right? It’s just bad luck that they got a long-term medical condition. They can still be a great person to know and a very skilled person. Their medical condition is just one small part of them. The same is true of you - and me, and all of us here with diabetes. We’re not weak and neither are you 🙂

I used to be embarrassed about testing and injecting in public, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. It’s also a good thing to do because it can give you a chance to answer people’s questions and educate them a little about diabetes. I also think that we, as adults, can set a good example for children with Type 1. We can show that we won’t hide, and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

When you have low glucose in public, you could just casually eat a few sweets. Even if people ask you about it, it’s still far less embarrassing than delaying treating a hypo and risking having a big hypo in public where you might feel out of control or need help.

I’m guessing that you’ve been in the presence of people with diabetes and not even realised. The girl you passed chewing a sweet? The little boy in the park swigging some juice as he kicks a football around? The man who served you in a shop. They could all have diabetes and you wouldn’t know.

Diabetes is a tiny part of the unique person you are. Yes, you have to look after it, but you don’t have to make it more important than it should be. It’s a nuisance but it’s not a weakness 🙂

 

[helli]

I tend think of famous people with Type 1 when I find I question myself because of my condition.
Are the Novonordisk cycle team who compete in the Tour de France weak? Is Este Haim weak? Is Henry Slade, the England rugby union player weak? You can say many things about Theresa May (and many have) but describing her as weak because she has Type 1 diabetes would be considered very unfair.
I believe all of them stronger because of their diabetes - they have achieved parity (and more) with others in their profession who do not have to do the job of a major organ all day every day. That is a super power.