Re: Cheating Destiny (book excerpt)
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Posted by Aussie gal on 22:28:21 2006/07/11
In Reply to:
Re: Cheating Destiny (book excerpt) posted by klausen
Klauesen, I am 36 years old and have diabetes for 34 of those years, so please don't patronise me with your description of what life for a "long-term" diabetic has in store. I know it all. I just checked and I still have all my legs, feet and toes. My last ophthalmologist appointment showed only the tiniest amount of retinopathy....the same as it has been for the last 12 years, actually. Kidney function test done only a couple of moths ago - all clear. But thanks for asking.
Lucky? Yes! Those same genes that contributed to me getting type 1 are obviously helping keep complications at bay. But I also think I can take some credit. In addition to having a healthy body (thanks to diligent care) I also have a healthy mind.
I know of several people with terrible diabetes complications. One woman who went blind in her 20s has just published a book, another who has just had a kidney transplant is on the public speaking circuit trying to educate people on the necessity of regular kidney checks. Oh - and the 40 year old amputee I met the other day who is now coaching a kid's footy team for kid's with disabilities. I work in diabetes education so I get to see people like this all the time. We can play the "I know a person who has had their life destroyed with diabetes vs I know someone who hasn't" for days. But it's not a competition. If you want to sit there and wait to be struck down by something or only listen to unfortunate cases, go for it. I'd prefer not to.
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