So November 14th is World Diabetes Day. A day to bring about awareness all over the world to the massive epidemic that is Diabetes. I kept thinking all weekend, what can I do that would make a difference. August 31, 2008 was the day that forever changed my family and especially my little girl. When we walked into the ER we only thought she had a bad flu, when we left a week later we knew that her life was completely different. Since that day I have immersed myself in all things Diabetes trying to learn what to do for her and how to make her life better with this. Most days I feel like I have a better understanding and then we have days where I think “What the heck are we doing??” Our family and friends have been amazing and so supportive that it has made the transition a lot easier, but as I sit and contemplate what can I possibly do to help the diabetes community I draw a blank.
I have donated money, we walked in our JDRF walk, we have gone to support groups, you name it we are trying to do it. I just feel like this isnt enough. As I sat complaining to one of my girlfriends about this on Friday night she looked at me and said:
“Are you kidding? Look at our huge group of friends and their kids and how much they know about diabetes now. You have taught all the kids more than you know. They all look out for Lane, watch what she eats, make sure she gets tested, and make sure there is not candy around her and they are only ages 3-9! Did you know this when you were a kid? I dont think so. What you have done already is a HUGE step toward making people aware.”
After she said this it really got me thinking – I didnt know anything about diabetes when I was a kid. I even graduated Nursing school and still didnt know much about it besides learning how to test a person’s blood sugar. Was what she said right? Am I really educating people on a daily basis? I believe that I am and it was one of the proudest moments I have had in a long time.
Each of us out there that are touched by diabetes is raising awareness that otherwise would not have been done. They say everything happens for a reason and at the time when Lane was diagnosed this statement made me very angry – “How could this happen for a reason?” – moments like these make it a bit easier to digest – because of her diagnosis I am helping an entire community make their lives a little bit better.
So I say to everyone out there, please help us make November 14th a day to remember. Help us raise awareness about this dreadful disease and maybe one day (hopefully soon) we will have a cure.
