You might think from looking at me that I don’t need a cure. The only way you can tell I am diabetic is by looking at the scars on my fingertips. Otherwise, I look like a normal kid. I play lacrosse, football, snowboard, mountain bike, and go to school. But there is a lot that you don’t see.
Being diagnosed with diabetes has changed me as a person and changed my life drastically. At the age of 11 I had to suddenly have the maturity of an adult. I have a quote posted on my bedroom wall and I go by it everyday: "Be realistic. The goal is not perfection but perseverance. When you have a good day, take credit. When you have a bad day, blame the disease and vow to make better decisions tomorrow."—Howard Wolpert.
I’m writing on behalf of Jack, my 5-year-old, because, well, he can’t write! I know if he could write he’d say that “Diabetes STINKS!”
Since I was diagnosed with type 1, my relationships with my friends/family haven't changed. All of my friends love me for who I am not because I have diabetes. One friend that really stands out for me is Ellen. I have known her for 15 years. She helps me so much to get through what I have to do. When I was diagnosed none of my friends knew that I was in the hospital because my mom didn't think of calling anyone because we were both still in shock. Ellen was going around and handing out her birthday party invitations to all of our friends. My diagnosis was around the time of her birthday and I wasn't able to go to it because I was still in the hospital. It was the first birthday party of hers I missed since our friendship began. You can imagine how upset I was. She went to my house and my brother's friend told her that I was in the hospital.
Living with diabetes is a challenge! It never goes away! I would like to tell you about a typical day in the life of me, Joseph Bailey.
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