Sunday, November 14, 2010

World Diabetes Day: November 14 2010

So many people out there, sharing the same chronic disease: DIABETES. Please let people realize nobody can say for sure he/she will never get this condition. Diabetes is there and the number of patients is growing by the day. It's not some disease you have never heard of. Every one of you probably knows someone with diabetes. Reach out a hand and let your diabetic friend know you care.
Today at 12:00 sharp is when we will poke our fingers and let the world know our blood glucose. At least we have the access to our own blood glucose meter. We can check our blood sugars whenever we need to. Don't forget there are so many people out there, who are not able to know their sugar level in their blood. People without access to medication, diabetes treatment, support. Even in Belgium, not every diabetic has a blood glucose meter. So many people not able to treat their diabetes in the best way, because they have no clue.

My sympathy goes out to all people out there, who have diabetes but don't know yet. They have not recognized the symptoms of thirst, frequent urination, blurry sight. They never have their bloodwork done. They may have diabetes type 2 for over 10 years without knowing it, building up the complications.. It's sad.. because unnoticed and untreated, diabetes leads to loss of sight, amputation of limbs, kidney failure, severe nerve damage. Not something you want to have..

My sympathy goes out to all children with type 1 diabetes. Their lives and the life of their parents and siblings will never be the same. I'm especially thinking of Eilish and her family. Eilish, who recently died in her sleep, from an unnoticed low blood sugar. To her family, diabetes is the worst thing ever because it took the life of their beautiful young daughter.

My sympathy goes out to my diabetic friends and their daily struggle with D. Those who don't have D, have no iDea what diabetes is. It's not about the finger pokes or shooting up insulin. It's much more than that. It's that daily bond, 24/7. Because diabetes is always there. It's there when you wake up, it's there when you are concentrating on your work. It's there when you are working out. Going out to dinner will never be the same once you're diagnosed diabetic. You always have to be aware you're a diabetic. No more spontaneous situations. Low or high blood glucose may disturb your activities severely.

My heart goes out to those who are suffering from diabetes related complications. And no, it's not their fault. Nobody has loss of sight or the amputation of a foot on their wish list. So bare with us, will you?
Reach out and let your diabetic friend know you care..

I'm counting on you, my diabetic friends. Contact your peers and let them know they are not alone.

Let's poke our fingers at 12:00 and let the world know our blood glucose. There's a bond between us diabetics that will never be broken, because there's no cure. Diabetes is for life..

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