Today is the final installment of Diabetes Blog Week. Special thanks AGAIN to Karen Graffeo at Bitter~Sweet for hosting this inspiring event. Why is it inspiring? Well, for me, I have read many (read: hundreds) of posts that were waaaaaay better than anything I’ve written this week. They were all posts that inspired me. Inspired me to live a better life. To care more about those less fortunate. To advocate, to speak for those who are unable to speak for themselves. To write a better blog.
Thank you to all of the d-bloggers out there who make made my posts look like a grocery list this week.
That said, I’m going to punt on today’s post. I’m going to re-post something I wrote on this subject a few weeks ago.
But before I do, I want to add to the super dia-heros list you see below. In the original post, I forgot to mention the Maryland Transit Authority Police, who helped me through an extremely dangerous low I experienced about a year ago on the subway home. They were fantastic, and they even met me later, off-duty, to deliver my meter and my pump, which I lost in the incident. In short, they saved my life. How can you thank someone enough for that? Can’t believe I forgot them in the original post.
Now, to the previous post:
Super Dia-Heros.
The world needs more Superheros!
I suppose so. But I can think of a few Superheros that I would like to retire… as soon as possible.
The Great Spousal Unit is a Superhero (Supershero?). She’s always got my back. In the middle of a road trip, or in the middle of the night, she’s always there when I have an issue. For all 21 years of this disease, she’s been a rock. I would like to give her a break. She’s earned it after all these years. I don’t want her to worry about me anymore. Without me asking.
The Live-In Niece has been terrific. I’m the first, the only, diabetic she’s ever known. Or known about. She knows nothing of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis. But she asks a lot of questions. And she never makes me feel bad for being a pain in the ass because I had a low or I’m mad at the diabetes today. Without me asking.
Prior to the Live-In Niece was the Live-In Nephew. My Godson. Probably the relative I’m closest to. And diabetes freaks him out. But when he was confronted by something that freaked him out, he was able to help me. Without me asking.
I’ve had a couple of crappy doctors over the years. But I’ve had a couple of super ones too. That’s you, Dr. Mowry in Cincinnati, who originally diagnosed me after two doctors couldn’t be bothered to take the time; and you, Dr. Pao in Baltimore, who speaks my language and gets me thinking about adjustments to make things better, instead of always staying the same with lesser results. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you Diabetes Online Community. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I feel validated. Can’t tell you how much it meant to find out that others have the same experiences, the same hurdles, the same highs and lows. I not only feel validated… I feel more confident that I can live in this world. That I belong in this world.
Where would I be without JDRF and ADA? Your advocacy has brought us countless advances in care, support, and on, and on, and on. It’s easy to take you for granted. But these two groups are full of thousands of Superheros.
And what about the companies that have developed technology or drugs to help us continue to live a life that means something? Medtronic, Animas, Dexcom, Novo Nordisk, Aventis. That’s right… I’m givin’ props to you, big Pharma. I’ve made it as far as I have in part thanks to you.
There are many Superheros in my diabetic life (Diaheros?). But I would like to retire all of you. I hope that soon, very soon, you can find the time to focus on someone else. Another cause. Or maybe a vacation. In the meantime, thank you sooooo much for being my Superheros.
A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.
Diabetes Blog - Happy-Medium.net 