Thursday, February 3, 2011

Here's What I know


Here's what I know.

I know what it's like to be a child with diabetes, who grew up and didn't know where to turn when she became an adult with diabetes.

And I know that some damage was done.

I know what it's like to have your father breakdown and sob on your shoulder at your sister's funeral, because his daughter died from Type 1 diabetes.

I know what it’s like to look at her face lying in the casket and see your own.

I know what it's like to learn from parents of children with type 1 diabetes - They share with me what my parents would not.

I know what it's like to be an 8 year old who was told the cure was 10 years away, and I remember exactly what I was thinking as I blew out my 18th birthday candles.

I know what it feels like to be in college and suffer from diabetes burnout and isolation.

I know what it's like to be well past college and suffer from diabetes burnout and isolation.

I know what it was like to live in the Diabetes Dark Ages, before the knowledge and power that technology brought us.

And I know some of the causalities of the Diabetes Dark Ages by name.

I know that I will crawl through glass on my knees for a cure and I will continue to help and support any organization that is working towards that cure with every fiber of my being.

But as person who knows that the world is a very lonely place when you turn the corner and become an adult with type 1.

I know that I will also support organizations that will make the world for adults with type 1 less isolated and more welcoming.

And I know that I love and respect my diabetes family very much and I want them to love and respect one another.

To quote a very wise man Named Jeff Hitchcock: Let's all remember that we are not the enemy. The enemy is diabetes.

31 comments:

Robin said...

As always, very very well said.

Meri said...

I love you. If you were in front of my I would hug your neck and sob.

Vivian said...

Wonderful post as always. Thank you for being who you are.

Penny said...

Thank you for saying this, for all the parents, all the CWDs and PWDs and all the people who care for them and about them - thank you.

Joel said...

Here's what I know.....You are brilliant!

Jacquie said...

Brilliantly concise! Concisely brilliant!

Nicole said...

wonderful post!!

Brandon said...

Your blog is awesome! XD

If you're into photography, check out mine.

www.electricbrandon.com

SarahK said...

VERY very very well said, K2!

Sherry said...

Great post, my dear! We are all in this together. Everyone should just chill and feel the love. xo

meanderings said...

Standing O!

Patrick McConnell said...

Great, Great, Post...

Donna said...

Here's what I know: When my little boy grows up and is an adult living with T1D, I hope he is as level headed and REAL as you are about his disease and about life in general.

Thank you!

Nerdy April said...

I can't imagine some of the things you have been through. And yet, I CAN imagine some of the things we have in common. Such a great post, as always!

Brian from "D-Dad - Living with "D" on so many levels" said...

What a perspective you have. My little boy has a long road ahead of him, but hopefully we can keep pushing to make sure that road is as easy as possible. Great post!

Cara said...

Perfectly stated. The enemy reared it's ugly head and we ended up attacking each other instead of the enemy at hand.

Alexis Nicole said...

beautifully stated. So proud to say we are on the same team. ((hugs))

Hallie Addington said...

Amen, sister! I agree with you and with all the previous comments. I appreciate your candor, K2. And I'll be right there crawling through the glass beside you!

Joanne said...

Perfect. You hit the nail on the head and did so very eloquently. Bravo.

Unknown said...

I know that I do not know where I would be had I not found the caring hearts of adults who have already walked the road that waits ahead for my daughter.

I applaud our community at large and hope this dies soon.

Renata said...

Right on Kelly.

Melinda said...

You have a gift for putting feelings into words perfectly. XOXOX through my tears.

Unknown said...

I am loving you even more after this uber-awesomness of a post Kelly. I don't like seeing the DOC fight. It is like watching my parents fight right before they divorced when I was a kid. UNCOMFORTABLE and HEART WRENCHING.

LaLa said...

Thank you for being you because I think you are pretty damn amazing!

Thank you for giving the parents a shout out --- I hope that we help you as much as you help us, Kelly.

Although I wish none of us were members I have to say the DOC is a better place with you in it.

Scott Strange said...

Thank you Kelly, this is a great post and truly inspired mine on this

elaine said...

I love your posts... even though I cry all of the time. :) Beautifully said.

Crystal said...

As I know, too.

Well said, Kelly.

Zita said...

You had me at "Here's what I know." :) BECAUSE, I know you are wise beyond your years for what you and your family has had to bear and you are making something POSITIVE out of it. That takes a WISE person. And, yeah, I'm sitting at my desk in tears now. I have NOT looked at any of the threads/chat rooms/whatever. I got enough of the picture from the peeps I follow on Twitter to know I want to stay focused on the positive and you've done a good job of summarizing that! Amen, sister.

Kim said...

Beautifully written!!! Amen!

Kim said...

Beautifully written, as always!

Beth said...

Beautiful.....thank you.