I Can...

Growing up in the '70's and '80's, my parents did their best to not set limits.
Back in the days of blood tests every 6 months at the local hospital and one shot a day to control sugars, I was still allowed to swim when I wanted, and bike all over the area. I went to summer camps - it must have been quite difficult for them, looking back, to allow me this freedom. Thinking about how often I went out exploring alone on my bicycle with nothing in my pocket but a couple of bugs for comics at the local 7-11, I'm probably pretty lucky that nothing bad happened.

There were a couple of things that I figured I would never be able to do, however.

1. Eat what I want.
2. Grow up healthy.

My diet growing up was very structured per the "exchange Diet" popular at the time. A glass of milk with every meal (still barely touch the stuff to this day), starch (pasta usually), vegetables, fruits and meat. This wasn't all bad - we had fresh vegetables around a lot from Mom's garden. I love raw fruits and vegetables. But that was generally it. Ice cream only on special occasions. Cake once a year (birthday - tho it was typically an ice cream cake for me). That is not to say I didn't spend some of that comic money on candy, because I did, but I felt oh so guilty when I did!

While I maybe didn't recognize how restricted it was at the time, when I got to college, I ate whatever I wanted when ever I wanted and as much as I wanted. I skipped shots (MDI by then) and landed in the hospital 2-3 times for a week at a time. I learned my lesson the hard way. DON'T DO THAT. So back to a semi structured plan I went.

Now, as an adult, with an insulin pump, and counting carbs, I really can have what I want, when I want, and mostly how much I want of it. I just need to count carbs, inject enough insulin and go on my way. It's never quite that simple, but that's the basics. I CAN eat what I want and enjoy it without guilt.

The other mental restriction was I really never believed I would grow up healthy. Much as I love the magazine, Diabetes Forecast was the prime reason for my fear on this one. What young person with diabetes wants to read about all of the people who have had amputations, or went blind from a disease you feel you have no control over. I figured I'd be lucky to make it to 35.

Well, here I am, 47 and pretty healthy. I promised my husband I'd do my best to make it to 85 so we could have 40 years together, so I'm working on it! We're at 10 years married and 13 years together so far.

I know of many other PWDs who do anything they want - rock climbing, mountain climbing, long distance cycling, movie stars, become mothers, just to name a few.

Newer PWD's - you can do anything!