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Well I was asked to speak at another class last night on the feelings I had when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. It was an informal type setting and they encouraged people to grab something to eat before or even bring some food with them. So I thought about what I was going to say and I thought i would share it with some of you and then include what happened when a 20 something young man came in. So here you go.... It went a little something like this.
Hello... I guess I should introduce myself... I am a Diabetic named Will and I am here to tell you about how i felt when I was told that I was a Diabetic. To me the easiest way I can explein it is to caompare it to the death of a young one and I went through those 5 stages and I think most of you will go through them also. Some may spend a little longer in one stage than others... some may bounce around but some how and in some way we will all hit these stages and you as a Diabetic need to be prepared for it.
The first stage is Denial- This is when you say "They made a Mistake.. I want another test" This stage lated about 10 minutes for me because I knew the symptons and no matter how hard I tried i could not Deny I was showing all of them.
Next stage is Anger- This is being mad at everyone for why you are the way you are now. Me I am still in this stage. I am angry at society for pushing white bread, yogurt with all the sugar, my parents for letting me have all that candy but anger to me is not a bad thing because it allows me to come to these support groups and share. I will probably still be angry for a long time to be honest. In Fact I am angry at one of you right now (The 20 something year old). You are sitting in a meeting with fellow Diabetics and you are eating 2 whoppers and an order of French fries... Is the Drink at least Diet? (He said No). Do me a favor and everytime you are finished a frie or take a swallow say out loud for the group to hear... "I just lost my Foot". Maybe then you will realize that being in Denial for too long is not a good thing and you will try to move on.
3rd stage will be bargaining- God if you let the test results be wrong I will go to Church and eat healthier... If I eat this Burger and Fries today I will just cut my carbs down tomorrow... In reality you are saying... I will gladly give up my leg, eyes, or any other complication to have a couple of sweets today... I do not like this stage so I stayed in Anger
Depression- We will all go through it... You may not think you will but, when you are sad because you can not have that Pie or sushi... you are in this stage and you will eventually have this and the anger stage at the same time... Learn to recognize it so your friends do not have to deal with you. Learn what sets you off and figure out how to overcome the situation.
Last but not least... Acceptance. Inn AA you are taught to say I am Will and I am an Alcoholic... I believe this is good but, I think that the best thing I did was put the disease first so I can beat it... That is why I said I am a Diabetic named Will. You see for me... This Disease needs to always be first because eventually if it is not.... There will be no Will.
Hope it helps someone
Hello... I guess I should introduce myself... I am a Diabetic named Will and I am here to tell you about how i felt when I was told that I was a Diabetic. To me the easiest way I can explein it is to caompare it to the death of a young one and I went through those 5 stages and I think most of you will go through them also. Some may spend a little longer in one stage than others... some may bounce around but some how and in some way we will all hit these stages and you as a Diabetic need to be prepared for it.
The first stage is Denial- This is when you say "They made a Mistake.. I want another test" This stage lated about 10 minutes for me because I knew the symptons and no matter how hard I tried i could not Deny I was showing all of them.
Next stage is Anger- This is being mad at everyone for why you are the way you are now. Me I am still in this stage. I am angry at society for pushing white bread, yogurt with all the sugar, my parents for letting me have all that candy but anger to me is not a bad thing because it allows me to come to these support groups and share. I will probably still be angry for a long time to be honest. In Fact I am angry at one of you right now (The 20 something year old). You are sitting in a meeting with fellow Diabetics and you are eating 2 whoppers and an order of French fries... Is the Drink at least Diet? (He said No). Do me a favor and everytime you are finished a frie or take a swallow say out loud for the group to hear... "I just lost my Foot". Maybe then you will realize that being in Denial for too long is not a good thing and you will try to move on.
3rd stage will be bargaining- God if you let the test results be wrong I will go to Church and eat healthier... If I eat this Burger and Fries today I will just cut my carbs down tomorrow... In reality you are saying... I will gladly give up my leg, eyes, or any other complication to have a couple of sweets today... I do not like this stage so I stayed in Anger
Depression- We will all go through it... You may not think you will but, when you are sad because you can not have that Pie or sushi... you are in this stage and you will eventually have this and the anger stage at the same time... Learn to recognize it so your friends do not have to deal with you. Learn what sets you off and figure out how to overcome the situation.
Last but not least... Acceptance. Inn AA you are taught to say I am Will and I am an Alcoholic... I believe this is good but, I think that the best thing I did was put the disease first so I can beat it... That is why I said I am a Diabetic named Will. You see for me... This Disease needs to always be first because eventually if it is not.... There will be no Will.
Hope it helps someone
