As Harriet Beecher Stowe once said, “Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” I most certainly did not have any thoughts in my head that my diagnosis as a type 1 diabetic (T1D) would ever materialize into anything positive. I consider that warm day in July the turning point of my life thus far, and the day that several doors in my life closed, but the day that others opened.
I was diagnosed July 15, 2014, just 9 days after my 16th birthday, certainly NOT my idea of a sweet 16. I had spent two weeks at Fort Drum as part of a JROTC unit, with plans to join the military when I came of age and hopefully attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Much can happen in two weeks though, and I can attest to that. By the time my mother came to pick me up, I was urinating frequently, drinking water like it was the last of it on Earth, waking up with anguishing muscle spasms in the middle of the night, and suddenly I was nearly 30 pounds lighter. Now I am not a small individual by any means, I eat A LOT and I will be the first one to admit that ‘Lunch!’ is my favorite subject in school. I had left home at about 180 pounds. You do the math—that’s right, I was now 153 pounds exactly when I came home. My mother was absolutely shocked to see her new walking skeleton of a son. I was admitted to the hospital just days later. What I had thought, and had hoped, would simply be a bad case of dehydration turned out to be T1D.
Now fast forward to today. When I came across the link to apply to JDRF 2015 Children’s Congress on the JDRF Advocacy website, I had no clue that I would be chosen, let alone considered to be one of the phenomenally lucky Delegates to represent (in summertime D.C.) the numerous people living with type 1 diabetes in New York and across the United States. To say I am honored would be an understatement. There are Delegates attending who have only known life as a diabetic, and here I am not even a year out from being diagnosed and I get the amazing opportunity – one I will not take for granted – to attend. It can only be described as humbling to say the least.
I am so excited to be able to be among people just like me in this unique way, and talk with people that know exactly what it’s like to be a diabetic. Diabetes has given me confidence and has instilled a purpose in me that was never present before. I want to make a change in this country, and heck, even in the world if I can. I cannot wait to be able to meet the rest of my ‘family,’ because frankly we ARE a family. We all share a common bond that unites us and brings us together with One Voice. To all my soon-to-be brothers and sisters: See ya in Washington!
Being diagnosed with diabetes has changed me as a person and changed my life drastically. At the age of 11 I had to suddenly have the maturity of an adult. I have a quote posted on my bedroom wall and I go by it everyday: "Be realistic. The goal is not perfection but perseverance. When you have a good day, take credit. When you have a bad day, blame the disease and vow to make better decisions tomorrow."—Howard Wolpert.
I’m writing on behalf of Jack, my 5-year-old, because, well, he can’t write! I know if he could write he’d say that “Diabetes STINKS!”
Since I was diagnosed with type 1, my relationships with my friends/family haven't changed. All of my friends love me for who I am not because I have diabetes. One friend that really stands out for me is Ellen. I have known her for 15 years. She helps me so much to get through what I have to do. When I was diagnosed none of my friends knew that I was in the hospital because my mom didn't think of calling anyone because we were both still in shock. Ellen was going around and handing out her birthday party invitations to all of our friends. My diagnosis was around the time of her birthday and I wasn't able to go to it because I was still in the hospital. It was the first birthday party of hers I missed since our friendship began. You can imagine how upset I was. She went to my house and my brother's friend told her that I was in the hospital.
Living with diabetes is a challenge! It never goes away! I would like to tell you about a typical day in the life of me, Joseph Bailey.