Monday, April 14, 2008

After 30 years....My Voice is STRONGER And Has Joined Others (I also went a little crazy with the CAPS)


After 30 Years as a Type 1 Diabetic, my VOICE has grown STRONG.

The TYPE 1 COMMUNITY
has grown larger, more vocal, and more active.

When I was first diagnosed, my father told me to keep it to myself and not to let anyone know Diabetes was a secret. He kept it one - I did not.

Now, t1's are loud and proud, owning the day and educating any and and all who will listen.

In the past 30 years I've seen us go from testing urine, to testing blood.
I've experienced going from multiple shots on a daily basis, to wearing a pump 24X7.
I started on a diet which was based on exchanges and listed chocolate as a forbidden food.
Now, my diet is all about counting carbs and allows me to indulge in my chocolate fix.

In 30 years, I've LOST my SISTER to Type 1 Diabetes and had my NEPHEW diagnosed
with it.

30 years ago, my Endo told my parents and I that "they were 10 years away from a cure."
Those 10 years have turned to 30 in the blink of an eye, and we still are left waiting.

As PATIENTS, Type 1's have become PROACTIVE in the search for the cure, and ACTIVE in the EDUCATION of others.

Today, I raise my voice for those who no longer can. My father John, my sister Debbie, my two Aunts Joanne and Pat, and my Great Grannie.

Today, my VOICE joins MANY....

TOGETHER, WE RAISE OUR VOICES and demand UNDERSTANDING of TYPE 1 DIABETES

TOGETHER, WE DEMAND FUNDING for RESEARCH.

TOGETHER, WE DEMAND a CURE

TODAY...OUR VOICES HONOR ALL who LIVE with TYPE 1.

TOGETHER, OUR VOICES are STRONGER .

TOGETHER....WE MAKE DIFFERENCE.

13 comments:

Kerri. said...

I HEAR YOU!!! :)

Araby62 (a.k.a. Kathy) said...

Powerful post :-)

Jillian said...

It takes a village to live with Type 1 Diabetes! Glad to have you as a part of the tribe.

AmyT said...

HEAR, HEAR, K2! (OK, so I love caps as well :)

k2 said...

Kerri -
GLAD U HEAR ME AND WELCOME TO DIABETESALICIOUSNESS!

Jillian -
It takes a village;some batteries, lot's insulin, an insane amount of test strips, (yet only a small number of lancets) an inordinate amount of Smarties, & a great sense of humor to live with the Big-D!

Amy T -
GLAD I'M IN GOOD COMPANY!!!!
k2

Shannon said...

With those caps, diabetes is no secret. I hear you LOUD and CLEAR :)

I'm glad you found us! You're awesome.

k2 said...

Shannon -
Ok, MAYBE I went a little crazy on the CAPS...I'm nothing if not dramatic.
YOU ROCK 2
k2

Naomi said...

YES! Loud and strong! WOO HOO!!

Donna said...

Great post, Kelly! Hey, and go crazy with the CAPS anytime. It makes people pay attention. This was definitely worth a lot of attention, right?

Diane J Standiford said...

GO GIRL!

k2 said...

Naomi -
What can I say? I'm load and proud!

Donna -
Your right, it was worth all the attention! Thanks for making me feel like my post was good, I was so sure!

Diane -
U 2!!!!

k2

k2 said...

Naomi -
I meant to write LOUD and Proud!!

k2 said...

Araby -
Glad u thought so!