Diabetic

Relationships

     No matter who you are, everybody needs someone to talk to. If it's their friends, their boy/girlfriend, their parent or even their dog. That's no exception for diabetics, they just have different stuff they need to talk about.

   Understanding

     Life is miserable if no one understands what you're talking about. Imagine yourself, an English speaker, moving to a foreign country. But this foreign country doesn't speak English, and you don't speak their language. You'd be playing a wild game of charades to get your point across, which is a complete waste of time.

     This is the same with a diabetic. Sure, diabetes isn't the only thing we're able to talk about, but when we do, it's nice to be understood. That's why we always seek out one of our own, another diabetic. And if there aren't any of those, we find someone that knows what it is. Either a sibling of a diabetic or someone you can teach it to.

   Other Diabetics

     You never know where you might find another diabetic. For instance, you can meet them at a camp for other diabetics, in your class, even in the lunch line. I met one of my closest diabetic friends at camp, Lions camp in Kerville to be exact. We were friends all week, getting to know each other. And it wasn't until the last day of camp where we realised we lived in the same town.

     The next year, when we entered high school, we were already friends. So when band rolled along, we were there for each other. And let me tell you, sometimes she is not the easiest person in the world to get along with. But when push comes to shove, she gets what I'm going through. Even when none of my other friends seem to like her, I stand up for her (even though sometimes it's hard to).

     Another time, I was waiting in line for my lunch. My blood sugar was low, but I patiently waited for my food like everybody else, not wanting special treatment. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw one of the popular seniors that worked in the office during his free period. "Excuse me," He said, "When did you get your pump?" I looked down at my pump, confused.

     "A while ago, like fourth grade." I responded, "Are you diabetic?" He nodded, and I was shocked. I never would have guessed! "That's cool" I smiled, "I'm actually kind of low right now, so I'm just trying to..."

     "You're low?"

     "Yeah..."

     "Here, come one," He grabbed my arm and marched me up to the front of the line, "Excuse me, can my friend cut in here? Her blood sugar's low." People moved aside, knowing him and not wanting to cross his path.

     "You really don't have to, I can wait." I stuttered, not wanting attention drawn to myself. He shook his head, walking back to his spot at the back of the line. I felt happy, this complete stranger went out of his way to help me out. I went the rest of the day with a huge grin on my face, feeling loved.

     There was another guy with diabetes who was in my Health class. And another girl who rode my bus. Neither of them were the most responsible about their diabetes, plus neither of them really became my friend. But I would watch out for them too, even if they weren't doing the same for me.

    There are about 8 people in my school with diabetes. Seeing that there are over 2 thousand people at my school, that's not alot. And out of all of them, I'm the only one with an insulin pump. Sighting a pump is the easiest way to identify a diabetic from a crowd. So I felt very alone. But not having a pump doesn't mean it's impossible to tell if they're diabetic or not. Well, actually you could never know.

     When a friend of mine started dating my diabetic friend from camp, I was happy for them. So I chatted up the guy saying, "Aw, you two? I would have never guessed!"

     He responded, "Yeah, she's awesome."

     "I'm so happy for you guys, I mean, you're my band buddy, she's my diabetic buddy"

     He didn't reply for a while, then finally said, "Wait, she's diabetic?" I could not stop laughing. But then I was a little shocked. That's kind of dangerous that he didn't know his own girlfriend had diabetes. What if they were in a movie, she eats to much popcorn, then passes out. He would have no idea what was going on!

     They broke up shortly after that. But not because of the diabetes thing. It was something completely different. But it's not my story to tell.

   Siblings

     When in doubt, find a sibling of a diabetic. Even they don't know what you're feeling, they know what you have to go through. They know what you need and how to get it. So they can really help you out if you need help.

     In the fifth grade, there was a kid in my class named Robert. During a family night, our parents met, and we met his little sister who also had diabetes. My mom told her about the camp I usually go to, and we ended up driving her to and from the camp.

     After that, I went to one of the junior high's in town, and Robert went to the other one. So I didn't see him for a few years. But when I went to high school, I met this guy that was in band with me named Robert (of course I had forgotten it was him). We became friends and had a few classes together.

     Then one day in Biology, something about diabetes came up. He said, "Oh yeah, that happened with my sister!" And I asked him who his sister was, he told me. Only then did I realise that he was my friend from elementary school. So I asked him how his sister was doing.

     Apparently she had been taken away by child protection. Not because of her parents not taking care of her, it was her own fault (and I hate to put it that way). She refused to take care of her diabetes, and would eat junk food even when she was already high. It got to the point where they had to lock the pantry. So they had to come and take her away to a safe place where she could not go food crazy. Poor girl.

     Another sibling I know is this guy named Andrew (it's actually his 16th birthday today, so happy birthday to him). I met him at the camp my mom helps run for diabetics and their siblings. His little sister has diabetes, so he went to the camp to make sure she was okay. Let me just say, this boy is adorable. Not in the ripping muscles, super model type adorable. But the cute, shy, kind of nerdy adorable that I personally love.

     I instantly started crushing on him, and apparently he liked me too. Shortly after the camp was over, we started dating. It was nice to be with a guy who could help you with your disability. Plus, it saved that whole lecture of "this is diabetes and this is what I have to go through" that I have to tell every new person I meet.

     But after summer ended, he went back to live with his dad in New Mexico. We had to end our relationship, but we're still good friends. Though it made camp this year awkward.....

   Teach

     Not everyone you meet will know everything you go through. But that doesn't mean you push them away and not be their friend. Sometimes you need to teach them about what your life is like so they can not only understand you better, but know it for the future.

     For example, whenever I become really close to somebody, I invite them over to my house. Then I give them a little diabetic boot camp about a day in the life of a diabetic. If they seem excited about it and want to learn more, then the two of us are going to be good friends. But if they seem uncomfortable and want to change the subject, you need to look into the relationship. Because if someone can't accept your disability, then they probably wont accept the rest of you.

     It doesn't matter who it is you're close to. If they are close enough to you, they need to know how to take care of you. Because if push comes to shove, they might be the deciding factor between healthy you, and you in a coma. This comes with every problem with people, not just diabetes.