How I deal with ‘forever’
Dr Vered Gordon interviewed me in July as part of the Diabetes NSW & QLD Virtual ‘Live Your Life’ Expo 2020. She spoke to me about wellbeing, resilience, and strategies to cope with an illness that is always with you, and for which there is no cure.
People with type 1 diabetes can’t forget about it, like many chronic conditions it’s with us all the time. In this interview I shared some of my tips of how I deal with it and use it as motivation. Dr Gordon referred to it as reaching in (what you can do on your own) and reaching out (how to use those around you). Diabetes is a team sport.
I reach in to
Find things inside that motivate me to stay fit healthy and well - family, sport, adventure
Recognise that diabetes is tough, but that parts of it can make me stronger - problem solving, mental agility, resilience
Judge my days and weeks on how ‘well’ I feel, not how high or low my BGL or HBA1c is
Use diabetes as a reason to do the things I love, not as an excuse not to
Set goals to do the things I enjoy to the best of my ability and safely
Understand that type 1 is just one part of my life
Acknowledge that type 1 affects me and that pursuing better BSL control makes the things I love to do more enjoyable
I reach out to
Share and listen to stories and experiences with other people that have type 1
Lean on my close friends, family, health care team and mentors to see how they cope when times get tough
Find a team of health care experts and professionals that support my goals and ambitions
Search and surround myself with supporters and people with can-do attitudes
Reach out to people in sport, business and media who inspire me by pushing themselves beyond limits
Show people I care about and people living with stresses and difficulties like type 1 diabetes what is POSSIBLE