Adjusting to life with diabetes

MY NAME is Jessica Forrester and I have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for the last three years. This is an autoimmune disease that affects children from birth to adolescence, in which there is a viral attack on the pancreas, causing it to be unable to produce the hormone insulin. A person with the condition is now dependent on a lifelong insulin therapy.

My frequent trips to the bathroom, excessive thirst, weight loss and blurred vision made it a frightening time. The doctors and nurses all explained to me that I had to take my medication every day for the rest of my life in order to live. A news that was so devastating, it changed my life completely. Today I cherish the things that others take for granted. Walking, being able to read a book and eating a meal without worrying about the implications. I despised not being able to eat something without worrying, I despised my blood glucose level going so low at times that I would lose consciousness of where I am, who I am, and, most certainly, I despised when people who would say, “You’re going to be fine,” when they had no idea of what this was like.

I had to adjust to these changes and even now today, I am still coming to terms with doing so. I remember being afraid to tell friends and relatives about what I had, and even more fearful about their reactions, as I was now a different person and therefore started to view these persons differently.

I have equipped myself with the necessary information in order to better cope with and manage my condition. I am a resilient and steadfast individual who now aims to achieve a productive life and will not allow diabetes to set a ceiling over my future endeavours. Although they may not know it, my family, friends and other key individuals have been an anchor, keeping me grounded whenever I feel overwhelmed and are always there to provide support.