Every day, I reflect on how extremely thankful I am for the experience of living with Type 1 diabetes. My diagnosis has taught me strength, perseverance and bravery, along with obtaining the virtue of gratitude with knowing that my life could be so much worse.
The summer after I turned five, my parents began to notice an extreme increase in my need to use the restroom. Due to my age, they were a little concerned, but overall, they thought it was just a fluke. After the pattern had continued for longer than expected, they took me to see Dr. Baker, my pediatrician at the time, at B Pediatrics.
Dr. Baker ran a urine test and concluded that I did not, indeed, have a kidney infection; however, she did notice that my glucose levels were high. She tested my blood, and, sure enough, my level was extremely elevated, around 500mg/dL. Immediately, Dr. Baker instructed us to drive to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and enter through the emergency room. As soon as we arrived, I was given an IV full of insulin and fluids to lower the level of glucose in my bloodstream.
After spending several hours in the emergency care unit, I was moved to a room where I was monitored for the next four days by different doctors and nurses, as well as a diabetes educator who taught my family and I how to manage the crazy journey of Type 1 diabetes. When they felt that I was ready to go home and resume life, the doctors discharged me. The first few days were rough, but we eventually got in the swing of things.
Ten years later, my days are no different than those of the average teenager. I go to public school every day, participate in clubs and play sports. I control my Insulin dosage through my phone, and I’m extremely appreciative of the doctors, scientists and researchers who have developed the technology that has allowed me to do so. Sure, I have to stop and drink a juice box or eat a snack every now and then, but fear has never been something that has held me back from doing anything the “regular kids” can do.
There is no doubt that experiencing being labeled a Type 1 diabetic at such a young age was and remains hard. Throughout every season of life, I’ve had kids my age ask, “Why are you drinking a juice?” or “What’s that thing on your arm?” I’ve also had adults question, “Do you really need your 504 plan?” Despite it all, I have learned that there is more to life than my health struggles. I could’ve chosen to let diabetes take me down; instead, I can proudly say that I am an overcomer and an achiever.
Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I choose to count my blessings, diabetes being one of them. It is only by God’s grace, and through God’s grace alone, that I’m able to live my life knowing that I am more than just a number.
