"Spagetti"

Wow, Its been a long time since I last wrote a blog post! Cannot believe how crazy stressful Grade12 can be at times and how little time I have for anything. The last few days I have been really trying my best to find time for my blog since it has been a while, and thank God. Writing my blog is one of my biggest stress relievers. Anyways, its now November and as many of you fellow diabetics know, Novemeber is the month of Diabetes - November 1st is specifically for us Juvenille Diabetics! I just wanted to touch a little bit on what this means to me and how I've held my type 1 Diabetes close to my heart.

This has been my first year with Type 1 Diabetes. Actually, November 1st marks my 6 month anniversary of my diagnosis date, and it sure has been an interesting last 6 months, thats for sure. Being diabetic has definitely changed my outlook on life and how I view things that come my way. I believe that everything definitely happens for a reason and life never throws something at you that you cannot handle. I can say honestly that I treat people with more respect than I ever have before because you never know what someone could be going through and it sucks to have more stress than you need, especially as a type 1 diabetic. Between doctors appointments, A1C's, constant up and down blood sugar, and worrying about if you have emergency sugar incase it drops is enough stress, but I couldn't imagine the amount of stress someone who has cancer, or is a relative of someone battling cancer would be going through. Or even just people who have issues at home with maybe their parents being divored. Im sure no kind of tough situation has good stress, but nonetheless, theres no reason for extra.

Since being diagnosed, I also have had to opportunity to experience a lot of new things that I wouldnt have if I wasn't diabetic. I decided to do the JDRF walk for Juvenille Diabetes back in June and my team raised $500.00! It was my first time doing this event and will for sure be attending with even more team members next year! I also met Kayla Brown at the walk in brantford and for those of you who do not know Kayla, she is right on board with Type 1 Diabetes and has done many things regarding it, and was even interviewed on citytv London a few days ago! She write a diabetes blog as well (kaylaslifenotes.blogspot.com) and has for sure helped me from time to time when I needed it. I learned a lot of the things I needed to back in May by reading her blog and I'm so glad that diabetes has such an awesome support system!

Diabetes can be hard to live with sometimes but it definitely is manageable. You just have to keep going and remember that everything happens for a reason and life never throws something at you that you cannot handle. The best thing I ever did to help me came from my brother's girlfriend Sam Denney actually. When she was riding horses and got scared, she would count to three and say "Spagetti", so everytime I do my insulin now, I count to three and say "Spagetti" Works everytime! Anyways, as you go about your days in November, please recognize all of the hard working diabetics out there, yes, type 2 as well, and give them a pat on the back! They deserve it! Happy Diabetes Awareness Month everyone, and never forget, we can Dia-beat this ! :)

Jenn :)