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There I was, a teenage girl, hanging out by a pool-babysitting my favorite 6-year-old. We’ll call him Chris. He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 3. When Chris was 6, he began giving himself insulin shots and refusing candy from his friends. How can someone so young take charge of a disease many adults have trouble facing? “It was time to face my fears - like I did with the diving board.” At the pool, there was an Olympic sized diving board. Chris dove off it several times but noticed I hadn’t. “Jump off the board,” he said. I gave him a look like a deer caught in the headlights. He crossed his arms and said, “I dare you.” Letting him down wasn’t an option. The next thing I knew I was plunging into the water.
This amazing young man had an influence on me then. However, I was unaware of the effect he’d have on me later in life. In my twenties, I learned I had diabetes and would need insulin shots. Once again, I had that deer caught in the headlights look. The doctor handed me a fist full of prescriptions and off I went to the pharmacy--in a fog. After the shock wore off, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty set in. I doubted my ability to cope with this disease. I thought about the six-year-old boy who had taught me so much. In my head, I could hear Chris say, “I dare you.” Letting him and myself down, wasn’t an option. It was time to face my fears--like I did with the diving board. If it wasn’t for Chris's words and inspiration, I may have chosen the effortless way out and ignored my diagnosis. For more information on the stages of accepting diabetes, click the link below. Dealing With the 5 Stages of Diabetes Acceptance I Dare You: I’m sharing this story to inspire you to find the strength you never knew you had. If I can do it, so can you. You may not have an “Chris” in your life. But, whenever you’re faced with a challenging moment—diabetes related or not, remember his words. “I dare you.” If you enjoyed this article, please leave a comment below and share with others. It’ll inspire me to keep writing.
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AuthorDiane Bell was diagnosed with diabetes over 30 years ago. While writing articles for an online support group she was inspired to start blogging and spread the unique way she views diabetes. Categories
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