Being diabetic was not what I thought of as being normal, and I feared the stigma of having to take medicine and having people stick me with a needle.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I was having serious issues with becoming a diabetic.
Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a very scary thing, and it can easily make your life stand still for a moment.
It's hard enough as a kid these days to feel normal and just try to fit in. To be a diabetic is just a dramatic thing to go through.
When I first found out I had diabetes I denied it.
I used the diabetes as my weapon. Of course, I was only hurting myself and making myself sicker, but I guess it was something I had to go through. I never went overboard so much that I really hurt myself, but my early teenage years were very tough.
All my life, I've been a type 1 diabetic. I've always taken life day by day.
I was always on the go, and thought I was too busy to develop something like this. I thought at the time that diabetes went along with bad habits, but I was the last one in my family to eat junk food.
The typical response from people when I tell them I'm diabetic is, 'Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.' You know, I'm not. I'm a better athlete because of diabetes rather than despite it. I'm more aware of my training, my fitness and more aware of nutrition. I'm more proactive about my health.
Trying to manage diabetes is hard because if you don't, there are consequences you'll have to deal with later in life.
I was determined to share my positive approach and not let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life.