Read Stacey’s bio here
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 5 years old which was also many years ago. There was no blood testing with glucose meters instead there was mainly testing blood sugar levels by using urine strips; there was no multiple daily injections (MDI’s) management instead there were 1 or 2 injections of NPH and Regular insulin; there was no “carb counting” just doctor’s instructions to stay away from foods like candy and pizza. I cannot tell you how much I have seen diabetes management change in the past 27 years. Not only am I now using an insulin pump after being on MDI’s for what seemed like forever, I am using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) which constantly measures glucose levels from interstitial fluid. Wow. But almost as important as the technology available to diabetics to manage their condition, is a network of support to help cope with the emotional challenges that come along with it.
It wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I really met other people my age with diabetes. There was actually this diabetes community out there that I never knew about! I thank modern technology for helping me find these people J. The diabetes myspace group members I connected with offered me so many tips and advice about things that I really thought I should have known. These online contacts grew into friends that I truly cared about even without ever meeting them in person. Then I was lucky enough to meet a few who lived in my area and they are now not only my “fellow diabetes” friends but true friends of mine. I have learned so much from them and can’t even describe the connection one feels when sharing similar experiences. The people in the diabetes community have become a very important part of my life and knowing that I can share both my diabetes struggles and accomplishments with people who can completely relate is such a good feeling. I can only wish that every type 1 finds support like I have.
Well said!! I remember those days too – having been diagnosed just a few years before you. And I also was the only diabetic I knew until just a few years ago. I never dreamed how wonderful it would be to have an awesome support system of people who truly get it. Both on-line and in real life! Hurray for the diabetes advancements, both medical and “social”.
Nicely said Stacey! I was really glad to make connections in those online communities too. It’s so comforting (although difficult) to know that people my age are going through the same things I am experiencing. Some days I really struggle with diabetes, some days I am really motivated, and some days I just seem to skate by. But it’s nice knowing that there’s always someone (just a text or email away) who knows EXACTLY what I am going through. I am looking forward to more of your updates! (And did I mention, I am so impressed with your ACT 1 group – we need one in San Francisco too!!!) =)
Wow Stacey!
You are so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive group to share your hardships with. You are an inspiration and I look forward to reading more of your blogs! Keep up the great work…
Loveya,
Shannon
I am so glad you found these girls. You are an inspiration to me all the time and I am so glad you found an opportunity to share that with others as well.
You are so amazing Stacey. I cannot even imagine how being so young and not knowing any other diabetics your age must have felt. I give you so much credit for your bravery in trying new things in the diabetes world. To be on MDIs for so long and then going from not pumping but the GMS too, so couragous!
Stacey – I don’t know how you went through such a long time without finding support from fellow Type 1′s. I’m so glad we both found a great support system!
You and I have sooo much in common – the days of urine testing and Reg/NPH, years of MDI, and sadly, years of not having other diabetics with whom we could share. I’ll be forever grateful that I found you, Tina and the rest of all the original people from our myspace diabetes groups days. If it weren’t for all of you, I might never have found the strength to get my diabetes under control. I’m super lucky to have a friend like you, and I’m excited to see where you’ll go with ACT1.