DBW- I Can

This is my post for Day 1 of Diabetes Blog Week.  Interested?  Find out more here.

"In the UK, there was a diabetes blog theme of "I can...”  that participants found wonderfully empowering.  So lets kick things off this year by looking at the positive side of our lives with diabetes.  What have you or your loved one accomplished, despite having diabetes, that you weren't sure you could?  Or what have you done that you've been particularly proud of?  Or what good thing has diabetes brought into your life?  (Thank you to the anonymous person who submitted this topic suggestion.)"

  I really like this topic and it comes at a good time for me.  It's very easy for me to slip into a rut of finding all the negative.  When that depression kicks into high gear I'm a real negative Nellie.  So I'm really glad to have a push to switch it up.  Here is a small list of the things I Can Do:

I Can Eat That-  I'm a bit of rookie when it comes to diabetes, but one thing is for sure, I know how to take care of my diabetes than you do.  So when you see me munching on that fun-size Snickers or enjoying an ice cream, rather than asking if it's something I should be eating, just assume that I know what I'm doing and that I can eat that.

I Can Help Other People-  Shortly after my diagnosis as I was looking for ways to connect with other PWD I found a few great organizations.  For a couple of years I facilitated a Community Walk through the American Diabetes Association.  It was a very small affair and didn't raise much money, but it ignited a spark inside me.  Then I was able to find Hodia and help organize an amazing fundraising auction and dinner.  This year I helped JDRF with their Walk for the Cure and am helping Hodia with DTreat, a retreat for young adults with T1D ages 18-30.  All of these opportunities have shown me rewarding it is to help other people and I have met some wonderful people in the diabetes community as well.  Without diabetes I may never have found my passion for volunteering.

I Can Follow My Dreams-  Through that volunteer work and my experience with the diabetes community I realized that the passion I have for helping people and that working with others PWD leads to me taking better care of my own diabetes.  I learned that I would rather work in the world of non-profits than my current job and it has given my the itch to go to school this fall and start earning a new degree.

I Can Do This-  Some days suck.  I just want to curl up into a ball and tell the world to fuck off.  Some days are great and everything goes as planned.  But no matter how bad it gets, I know that I can get through this.  One day at a time.  And so can you.

Check out all the other great "I Can" posts over here!