Voices of Diabetes

I am currently 39 years old and have been diabetic for 10 years. I became diabetic with my first pregnancy and have remained diabetic. In the beginning I felt kind of lost and numb.

My family has a history of diabetes and I just felt like it would never happen to me. I was not prepared for anything about dealing with this disease. I let things go for a very long time.  In time I had to face the facts, I am diabetic and I need to get help so that I can be around for my children, which I have two now, 10 and 3 years old.

It has not been easy for me because I like to eat and bake sweets. I have learned that there are other ways to make things so that they taste good and are healthier for me. I am overweight at this time but I have started walking and doing some cardio exercise.

I look at my children and they give me the will to want to help myself so I am there for them. I am so grateful to places like this that I can look and find encouragement and help. I am living proof that you can learn to cope with this disease and start helping yourself. Diabetes is a very detailed disease and it affects people differently so it is nice to be able to help each other learn to cope with our disease.

Kathy P, 39
Decorah, IA