#HAWMC - No Social Media - Day 23

An optional suggestion for today's topic was "How would your life change if there was no social media?" 

How would my life change... hmm... 

• I would probably be finished working on the Christmas project that I started last July, that I had originally planned on giving them last Christmas. 
• I would have a slightly cleaner house that was mopped on a more regular basis.
• I would have a shorter stack of books by my bedside.. (ok.. no I wouldn't, I would just have read more and there would be different books).
• I would have a lot fewer pictures on my phone.
• I would still be thinking that I'm alone in my struggles.
• I would not have someone to chat with at 2am when I'm trying to bring up a low without eating the entire kitchen.
• I would be in the dark about a lot of tips and tricks on how to deal with highs and lows.
• I would not have some of the most awesome friends from around the country, and the world. 

I have heard it said that social media is the downfall of society.  I disagree.  There are areas in my life that may be better if social media didn't exist, but overall... I am better for it.

#HAWMC Day 19 - Vintage

Post a vintage photo of yourself, with a captain about the photo and where you were in terms of your health condition.

So here is a vintage picture of me.  Yes I know.. I was adorable. (sorry for the graininess.. it is an OLD picture remember)

 



I used to be a shy little kid.  Now I'm a shy big kid.  I was maybe about 2 years old when this picture was taken.  I was sitting on my Grandpa's lap while the rest of the family was in the swimming pool.  At this point in my life, my biggest health issue was.. um.. when was nap time and could I have an extra cookie for dessert.  I wasn't talking though so I had to grunt to express anything.  Don't get me wrong.. I did say my first words at the 'normal' age, but then I stopped talking for a couple years because everyone laughed.  I did start talking again but that was only after speech therapy and tape over my sister's mouth.  It's true... ask her. 

It would be 27 years after this picture was taken that diabetes entered my life. 

#HAWMC Day 16 - Misinformation

Today's prompt is to give three truths and one lie about myself, my condition, or my activism.  This should be fun, especially since my siblings and I were taught how to lie by our mother.  Yes.. it's true, she taught us to lie...to our grandmother none-the-less.

1. I feel blessed to have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
2. I referred to Diabetes Brain in a talk I gave at church recently.
3. I find it easier to "cheat" on foods that will raise my blood sugar when I'm in range already.
4. I have an extremely difficult time actually saying the word Diabetes.

So there are my four things.  Now it is your turn to guess which are true and which one is a lie.

#HAWMC Day 12 - Hindsight

HAWMC Prompt for today - "If you could go back in time and talk to yourself (or your loved one) on the day of diagnosis, what would you say?"

Lately I've had song lines, and movie quotes, and cliches running through my head like the opening sequence from the movie Contact (see.. it won't stop.. cliches, quotes, and scenes oh my!). Needless to say this prompt sent a song through my head. So bear with me...

If I could turn back time to the day that I was diagnosed.
If I could find a way to get me to listen.
I'd take back all those words that I said that hurt me.
And I'd stay a little bit more calm.

I would tell myself that it would be ok.. even though my world was shattered and I felt torn apart, it would be ok. I would have family and friends and (good) doctors there to help me. It wasn't the end of the world. In fact, it was a new beginning of being able to show how strong I really could be... and how weak (there is strength in weakness.. odd, I know... maybe a later post I'll delve into that one). I would tell myself to not be scared to say the word "diabetes". It wasn't poison coming from my mouth, it may sound funny at first, but say it and own it!

I would also tell myself to share more. Don't keep it hidden. It doesn't do any good to not share your story.. in fact it does a world of good TO share it, so do.  You never know who it will help.. it may even be you.

Wordless Wednesday - My favourite picture of Me

I know it's more than just me.. but my family is part of me too.

Catching up on #HAWMC Days 1-3

Sooo... I realize it is April 3rd... and that the Health Activist Writer's Month started on the 1st... and that I'm late. Oops.

That's what catching up is for, right? I thought so too.

Day 1 - Getting Started!

Why do I write about my health online? A couple reasons, actually. Writing about my health, helps me to look back and see what I was thinking about at the time. Sometimes it works so much better than a log book! I write online because it allows me to share.. and typing is so much faster than pen and paper. I got started by reading other blogs. They showed me that sharing wasn't a bad thing. Often times it was more comforting than anything else.

Day 2 - Introductions

My condition is Type 1 Diabetes. I was originally diagnosed as Type 2, two days before my 29th birthday. It was six years before I was able to get it corrected. Five things I would like you to know about my condition and activism. 

1. I didn't want T1D (type 1 diabetes), but I am thankful for it.  It has opened me up to a whole new world of awesome people.
2. T1D is a pain in the backside!!  and fingertips, and stomach, and head, and bank account. 
3. I am the only one in my family with T1D... and that was the best news !
4. My activism is just getting started.  In fact, next weekend is my second JDRF walk, but my first being on the committee.  I am excited.
5. My sharing on this blog varies.  Most of the time it is about my diabetes, but sometimes I just have to brag about my daughter (I'm one proud Mama Bear).  Either way, I hope you get something from it.  Even if you didn't, know this.. *I* got something from writing it.

Day 3 - Wordless Wednesday

A picture that symbolizes my condition and my experiences... This is a tough one..

 

This picture may seem a little odd.  Let's look at it this way.. the ocean is HUGE and no one can see the other side from where they stand.  The possibilities are ENDLESS and there so much yet to explore and learn.  Just like diabetes, we can't see the cure from where we stand, and there is so much yet to learn.  My experiences have been both great, and horrid.  Last but not least, this shows I'm not alone.  I am only one little drop in this ocean, and without others I would have dried up years ago.