Ella

Hours

“For me, when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (t1d) I flipped the switch immediately. I went back to life right away – surprising many people by doing so. But I had no choice! There were so many exciting events and milestones happening – the last thing I wanted was for this new illness to prevent me from doing anything.

And it didn’t! I accomplished many goals and dreams of mine in that short period of time. But, reflecting now, I wish I gave myself more time to process this new lifestyle. I’ve had many scary medical events after my diagnosis, each of them having a specific place in my mind and won’t go away.

It’s extremely hard to call a body home that once protected you and now turned on you – forcing you to adapt and do everything you can to make it through each day gracefully. Which – is really hard!! It’s really really hard when people don’t understand what you’re going through. When people don’t understand the fight and the battles you’ve gone through to be standing here today. It’s hard having discrimination and judgement over a part of you that isn’t going anywhere. It’s hard accepting a ‘new you’ – and I wish I took time to reflect and acknowledge my feelings so it wouldn’t be as hard as it is now.

Making physical health a priority is a big switch to make, and with that mental health should also be prioritized. It’s okay to feel your emotions, it’s okay to grieve a life you once had and has now changed forever, it’s okay to be mad at the universe for giving you this illness, it’s okay to be mad when people are not willing to understand/relate/empathize towards your experiences, it’s okay to feel it out. Healing takes time, everyone has their own pace.”

Ella
United States

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