Monday's Diabetes Blog week topic was Change the World. I definitely didn't ask for this role nor would I wish it on my worst enemy yet here I am. One thing I've learned in the last 6 months is that awareness movements like Diabetes Blog Week are necessary. Even as a healthcare provider I must confess my knowledge of type 1 was limited. The more and more people I talk to I realize how little is known about this disease. Therefore I am finding more and more the way I am changing the world (at least our small piece of it) is through education. We are constantly educating. There are so many misconceptions. The most common is probably that she'll somehow grow out of it (if only). Followed by what I like to refer to as shock an awe. Yes she has to take shots. Yes after every meal. Yes at bedtime and yes at 0200. Diabetes doesn't sleep. Did I mention the finger sticks? Up to 10/day. You get the point. Another one is that she can't have sugar. She can actually eat anything she could eat before December 4th only now she needs medication for carbohydrates and blood sugar correction. Sugar or lifestyle don't cause type 1. It is an autoimmune disease that is most often hereditary but can be caused by 3 very common viruses we've all probably had before (back to hereditary/genetic predisposition). The last one I want mention (because I could go on all night) is that it is on the rise globally. No one knows why but it's increasing steadily each year. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Instituted for Health (NIH) shows the prevalence of T1D in people under 20 rose by 23% between 2001 and 2009 (JDRF.org). 23%?!?
As London's mom, as a nurse and as a compassionate person I have made this my crusade. I can't do much but I can do this. I can educate myself and in turn educate others about the diabetes you don't learn about on TV. So to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi I will be the change that I want to see in the world".
