Reflections - National Diabetes Month

So, it’s November now, I really can’t believe it! I feel like the year only just started and already I am thinking about all of the Thanksgiving sides I will be scarfing down in a few short weeks. I am happy to report that Turkey Day is not the only thing I have to look forward to this month. If you didn’t know, November is National Diabetes Month, so I am going to kick it off by talking about what it means to me.

I have always been really into diabetes advocacy and awareness, thanks to my mom who got involved mere days after my diagnosis. I’ve spoken and shared my story, helped newly diagnosed children adjust to this new lifestyle, and participated in a lot of fundraising. What I haven’t done, is take a moment to reflect, especially now after almost 18 years.

I am certainly not happy to have Type 1 Diabetes, and I definitely don’t feel blessed to be on this journey. I spend most days wishing that I didn’t have diabetes, so I won’t pretend that I am all positive vibes about managing an illness 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thankfully, for me at least, there is an upside and I am learning every day to see the good too. There is no better month than National Diabetes Month to make sure I immerse myself in the good.

I have to say the first thing I think of is the gratitude I have for all of the things that having Type 1 Diabetes has taught me. I have learned how to be patient with myself and with others. I have learned the value of discipline and been able to carry that into other areas in my life. I have a renewed sense of optimism and try my hardest to seek the good in things, rather than dwell in the negative (though I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I still dwell). Diabetes is hard, and I have had to work really hard to “get it right” even though I have it wrong probably 80% of the time or more. I have learned the value of working hard through managing my illness, and don’t know that I would have the same work ethic without it.

I also think about all of the people I have met and friendships I have built over the years. I was lucky enough be able to go to a summer sleep away camp for girls with T1D where I met people from all over who were just like me. Having a place to go in the summer for two weeks, where counting carbohydrates and taking insulin was normal, was my favorite part of the year. In more recent years, with the rise of the online diabetes community, I have shared more “me toos” than I can count. Some of these online strangers have become “diabuddies” who I can talk to when I want someone to listen who really understands. I am grateful to be a part of that and if I didn’t have diabetes, I wouldn’t be.

I think I could go on and on about what I have learned, and what having T1D has done for me. Who’s to know what my life would have looked like without it? While I struggle almost every single day, the path that I am on is filled with hope and happiness. I know that without all of the struggles I have been through, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and that is the most important thing to me! This month I will continue to reflect on what I have learned, but also, I will look forward on ways I can continue to improve and help others. If you have any questions about Type 1 Diabetes, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @briedownes or via email at missbrielleblog@gmail.com