My Health

Being healthy is important to me as I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 30. Being told that I have a chronic disease wasn’t easy. One day it seems as if I had a clean bill of health, and the next moment I had a condition that would impact the rest of my life. One of the most painful experiences of my life was watching my mother lose both of her lower extremities, her eyesight, and eventually her life as a result of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. We do not know what causes this auto-immune reaction, but we do know that it is not caused by poor diet nor lack of activity. There is nothing that can be done to prevent or cure Type 1 Diabetes, but scientists are working to find a cure. Now at the age of 47, I have successfully managed the care of my diabetes for 17 years. Initially it was difficult to be optimistic. Now that I know more about diabetes, I've taken a major step towards being in control of my health. Monitoring my own blood sugar levels with my meter is essential. By keeping a record of my test results, it helps me see how food, physical activity and medicine affect my blood sugar levels. It is imperative to find ways to cut calories and make smart substitutions by choosing healthier foods. If I need further assistance, I can join a support group or attend an educational session about diabetes; however it has become second nature to me. Keeping my diabetes under control is the key to a healthier lifestyle.

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