Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I write about her health because - Day 4 WEGO Health Blog

I'm participating in the WEGO Health Blog's 'Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge' where bloggers are asked to write about their conditions. The goal is to write from these 30 health related prompts for 30 days April.






Today is day number four.
I write about my health because...Reflect on why you would write about your health for 15-20 minutes without stopping.


We are not alone


And that's what it comes down to. So that I don't feel so alone, and neither does Grace. In 2009, when Grace was diagnosed,  I didn't know a single soul who had a 6 year old girl with Type 1 Diabetes. Not one single person. And I wanted to know that I wasn't crazy, that it was do-able, and that I was not alone.


I started to write and lo and behold, it was true. I was not alone. There was this movement forming, the DOC (Diabetes Online Community) and it was, and is, wondrous. There are connections with others. There is support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I can jump online when Grace is battling a high blood sugar at 2 AM, and if I Facebook her BG, instantly there are 3, 4, 5 comments wishing me well, saying 'Ugh, me too' and telling me they are saying little prayers for Grace, that her sugars come down smoothly and safely. That does wonders for the psyche. 


Imagine, you have a challenge and you throw it out to the world. Someone throws it back, only now it's not a challenge any more, it's a 'Me too' and a 'So sorry you are in that place' and a 'I feel for you' and an 'I understand.' 


It changes, and continues to change,  the way I view diabetes. I'm no longer playing this game alone. I'm on a team, baby.





1 comment:

Lisa said...

The loneliness is suffocating at times. Almost a year into this and we still have not met another family fighting this battle (except on the DOC). Working to change that for my daughter's sake as well as mine. Blogging, diabetes camp soon, planning to do the JDRF walk this year. Trying to lose the loneliness. Thanks for being here to share your experiences and letting us know that there are others like us. Always glad to read your posts!