Age: 29 yearsProfession: Actuarial Manager'Diabetes' - a word I was made familiar with at the very young age of nine. My life changed forever after 'that' first trip to the hospital. Indeed, it has been a very tough journey for a child who actively participated in all kinds of sports. There was a time when I was unable to climb a 3-storied building and was ultimately bedridden. All I could understand at that point was that in order to feel good, I needed to take injections frequently.Impact of the diagnosisMy first few years after the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes were the most difficult. I transitioned from a state of dependence on the physician for my daily injections to a state where I finally learnt to self-inject and educated myself about Diabetes and its management. The most important thing that helped me sail through the period was the constant support of my parents. They always encouraged me to participate in sports like I used to before the diagnosis of Diabetes. Since then, Diabetes has never been a limiting factor for me. In fact, it helps me find the best possible ways to do things I am connected to.Now I am at a stage where I am happy to discuss, share, talk and opine about Diabetes. I understand very well the need to raise awareness about Diabetes as I lacked this when I was young. I understand the trauma and problems that people face if it is not addressed appropriately. Discussions about the consequences of Diabetes and the need to lead a healthy lifestyle can help create awareness, so that those who have been newly diagnosed with Diabetes are motivated to control their blood glucose levels.Adapting my lifestyleMy family helps me to manage Diabetes better, especially my mother who is very careful about what we eat at home. We are conscious about good health and ensure we eat healthy and nutritious food. The diagnosis of Diabetes has made me better equipped to manage everyday issues.Diabetes has made me more conscious, disciplined, sensitive, dedicated, aware and responsible for my actions on a daily basis with respect to eating, exercising, socialising, medications, injuries, etc. I am highly conscious of the 'dos and don'ts' and this helps me take note of the changes related to Diabetes in my body.Recently at the end of 2022, I have lost over 17 kg, reducing insulin units by over 50 per cent, from 75 units a day to 34-35 units a day. I have switched to insulin pump therapy at the beginning of 2021 and my HbA1c has improved from 12.3 to 7 per cent. Insulin pump therapy has helped me manage Diabetes better and there has been a considerable reduction in the hypoglycaemic (low blood glucose) episodes..My daily regimeI perform free-hand, light weight exercises for 30-45 minutes especially after work in the evening depending on my blood glucose status. Walking, climbing stairs, stretching and crunches form the bulk.My meal plan:For breakfast (8:30 am), I usually have 2 or 3 chapatti, one egg, vegetables, 4 almonds and a walnut.At lunch time (12:45 pm), I consume protein salads made with black channa, red beans, broccoli, etc. accompanied with cucumber. Sometimes I have vegetable daliya or quinoa salad or egg/chicken sandwich.In the evening (5:00 pm), a handful of blueberries, cranberries, sunflower seed and two dates, 2-3 protein biscuits or roasted snacks.For dinner (9:15 pm), I have 2-3 chapatti, vegetables and legumes or moderate quantity of chicken curry or pasta.My inspirationMy inspiration is to not let Diabetes win and accept it as a life-long friend. My inspiration is to be a role model for young people with Diabetes, who upon reading my story could believe that if I can do it, then so can they. My inspiration is drawn from not giving-up on Diabetes but to get up and fight in order to survive. I agree managing Diabetes involves a lot of work, discipline and planning but at the end of the day it's all worth it.My message to people with Diabetes is to believe in themselves and understand their body signals. It is important to increase awareness first in themselves, then in others about Diabetes. I feel it is necessary to work towards prevention of Diabetes than treating it. It's okay to fail, don't lose sight of what your goal is. Work relentlessly towards what you wish to achieve. Talk and share often but with informed, educated and open-minded people. Realise that the almighty's blessings are with you and respect your health. Every person with Diabetes is 'special'.
Age: 29 yearsProfession: Actuarial Manager'Diabetes' - a word I was made familiar with at the very young age of nine. My life changed forever after 'that' first trip to the hospital. Indeed, it has been a very tough journey for a child who actively participated in all kinds of sports. There was a time when I was unable to climb a 3-storied building and was ultimately bedridden. All I could understand at that point was that in order to feel good, I needed to take injections frequently.Impact of the diagnosisMy first few years after the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes were the most difficult. I transitioned from a state of dependence on the physician for my daily injections to a state where I finally learnt to self-inject and educated myself about Diabetes and its management. The most important thing that helped me sail through the period was the constant support of my parents. They always encouraged me to participate in sports like I used to before the diagnosis of Diabetes. Since then, Diabetes has never been a limiting factor for me. In fact, it helps me find the best possible ways to do things I am connected to.Now I am at a stage where I am happy to discuss, share, talk and opine about Diabetes. I understand very well the need to raise awareness about Diabetes as I lacked this when I was young. I understand the trauma and problems that people face if it is not addressed appropriately. Discussions about the consequences of Diabetes and the need to lead a healthy lifestyle can help create awareness, so that those who have been newly diagnosed with Diabetes are motivated to control their blood glucose levels.Adapting my lifestyleMy family helps me to manage Diabetes better, especially my mother who is very careful about what we eat at home. We are conscious about good health and ensure we eat healthy and nutritious food. The diagnosis of Diabetes has made me better equipped to manage everyday issues.Diabetes has made me more conscious, disciplined, sensitive, dedicated, aware and responsible for my actions on a daily basis with respect to eating, exercising, socialising, medications, injuries, etc. I am highly conscious of the 'dos and don'ts' and this helps me take note of the changes related to Diabetes in my body.Recently at the end of 2022, I have lost over 17 kg, reducing insulin units by over 50 per cent, from 75 units a day to 34-35 units a day. I have switched to insulin pump therapy at the beginning of 2021 and my HbA1c has improved from 12.3 to 7 per cent. Insulin pump therapy has helped me manage Diabetes better and there has been a considerable reduction in the hypoglycaemic (low blood glucose) episodes..My daily regimeI perform free-hand, light weight exercises for 30-45 minutes especially after work in the evening depending on my blood glucose status. Walking, climbing stairs, stretching and crunches form the bulk.My meal plan:For breakfast (8:30 am), I usually have 2 or 3 chapatti, one egg, vegetables, 4 almonds and a walnut.At lunch time (12:45 pm), I consume protein salads made with black channa, red beans, broccoli, etc. accompanied with cucumber. Sometimes I have vegetable daliya or quinoa salad or egg/chicken sandwich.In the evening (5:00 pm), a handful of blueberries, cranberries, sunflower seed and two dates, 2-3 protein biscuits or roasted snacks.For dinner (9:15 pm), I have 2-3 chapatti, vegetables and legumes or moderate quantity of chicken curry or pasta.My inspirationMy inspiration is to not let Diabetes win and accept it as a life-long friend. My inspiration is to be a role model for young people with Diabetes, who upon reading my story could believe that if I can do it, then so can they. My inspiration is drawn from not giving-up on Diabetes but to get up and fight in order to survive. I agree managing Diabetes involves a lot of work, discipline and planning but at the end of the day it's all worth it.My message to people with Diabetes is to believe in themselves and understand their body signals. It is important to increase awareness first in themselves, then in others about Diabetes. I feel it is necessary to work towards prevention of Diabetes than treating it. It's okay to fail, don't lose sight of what your goal is. Work relentlessly towards what you wish to achieve. Talk and share often but with informed, educated and open-minded people. Realise that the almighty's blessings are with you and respect your health. Every person with Diabetes is 'special'.
