In this video, I briefly speak about type 1 diabetes and how it started with me and some of the main battles that come with a chronic situation you can’t get out of.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong chronic blood sugar disease. It is the destruction of a Groupe of cells that create a hormone called insulin which helps digest and allow sugar to enter our cells for energy.

Type 1 diabetes is a daily, sometimes, hourly challenge you have to deal with, but thankfully, treatments and daily care have evolved in such a way that handling it can be an easyer and a lighter burden to bear.

However, everyone experiences this illness in a different way, and diabetes can be heavy to deal with in your everyday life for some and less for others.

Shots aren’t comfortable, insulin pumps come with different practical and aesthetic challenges, you always have something on your skin whether it’s a catheter or a sensor, shots are unavoidable, and constant monitoring is just a part of the whole issue. Hot temperatures can become a serious challenge and getting sick, or having anxiety and stress problems shoot your sugar levels sky high and as much as you can control many of these variables, there are often little incidents that can come and scramble the balance that you’ve established.

When affected with other comorbidities or sicknesses, having this balance can be a serious challenge, because other variables different than the common ones all diabetics are faced with come into the picture. This is my case with a rheumatoid arthritis and other complicated autoimmune problems + the treatments for all these different issues...

But there is hope! Some of the things that helped and still help me to walk with this reality is the fact of speaking about my struggles with friends that are confronted to the same thing. We understand each other which makes us feel less lonely in our reality and we can support and give advice to one another about certain situations, and this is priceless.

Another important aspect is the medical team who helps so much in managing this whole thing . I was always blessed with amazing doctors and nurses and dieticians that work with diabetics. It’s important that these people know how to listen, how to help and walk with you in your phases and processes and who ultimately will help guide you to what suits you best for the handling of this illness.

Obviously, my family plays and important role in supporting and walking with me through this long walk as well! And of course, for me, God is my source in everything. Without my hope and faith in Him, I don’t think I could stand on my own strength and will…

He has particularly been my strentgh to keep on going on in life for over 30 years of having to manage this diabetes every single day.

Human strength can go far but it does at some point hit a wall, where we are confronted to our own limitations in our capacities/abilities to self-sustain! This is where God’s presence and Love overflow to help us get back up again and continue… at least, this is true for me. God is where I seek my rest, my strength and comfort.

I hope this can bless you!

With Love,

Mel