What they should know. (D-blog week day five)

This week is Diabetes Blog Week (or D-blog week), and each day, I’ll be following a prompt from the lovely Karen over at Bitter-sweet Diabetes. Today’s prompt asks us to share what someone else should know. This was a tough post to write because I think there are many things related to diabetes that I think people should know. But more than what I hope strangers know is what I hope diabetics know. So to you — my dear friends with diabetes…

You should know that diabetes sucks, but you should also know it’s not as bad as you think. You should know that each day is a chance to do better — have better numbers, make better food choices, exercise more. Each day, we get a do-over. You should know you’re not defined by diabetes, but it’s a big part of who you are. You should know it’s something to embrace, not ignore.

You should know you are special and you can make a difference to others walking in similar shoes. You can be an encourager and a fighter. You should know you are leading by example, whether you realize it. When you’re taking care of yourself and managing diabetes, you should know someone else is watching you. It may be a 6-year-old little girl who likes to ride her bicycle. It may be a mom raising an 8-year-old with diabetes. It may be a teenager struggling to understand and fit in. You should know you have the power to make a positive impact on their lives.

You should know you are strong and you are tough. You can do anything and be anything. Diabetes is invisible. It needs to be monitored, but there is no reason to treat it other than the invisible illness it is. Don’t give it too much credit or too much blame. Don’t use it as an excuse. You should know there are worse things, and you should know this is just a blip on the radar of your life. It seems bigger, but it’s not.

You should know diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from anything, and it doesn’t have to hold you back. Diabetes plays the role you want it to play, so you should know to give it respect, but not let it run the show. You should know how amazing you are and how wonderful your life is. You should know God has a great big plan, and you fit into it perfectly — diabetes and all.

You should know if I can do this, you can do this! And you should know I love you, I am praying for you and I will always be here to encourage you!