Lessons from 13 years of diabetes

Living with diabetes can make it hard to take a step back and look at the journey so far. Nikita Sweeney took some time to reflect on 13 years of managing diabetes, what she’s learnt and what her hopes are for the future.

What do you wish you’d known when you were diagnosed?

I wish I had known how much my whole perspective on life was going to change. When I was diagnosed, I thought my life was just going to be nothing but hospitals, doctors and diabetes.

I wish I hadn’t been scared into thinking I was not going to live. 

I wish someone had told me that even though diabetes would be a huge part of my life, I could still live and dream and accomplish everything.

What is the hardest part about diabetes for you?

The hardest part for me is the emotional toll of diabetes. It can make me feel like a lesser human, as though my diabetes limits what I can achieve or the person I can become. 

Sometimes I struggle with the fear that I won’t be able to live the dream of learning to accept diabetes as a part of my life without letting it define my life and worth.

What do you wish people knew about living with diabetes?

I wish people understood that diabetes is more than injections and finger pricks, It can take a significant emotional and mental toll. Being judged or misunderstood can make someone feel worthless or ashamed of a condition they never asked for .

Sometimes a little bit of kindness and understanding can make a bigger difference than people realize.

What is one thing that’s helped you cope with diabetes?

One thing that’s kept me going is the hope that one day there will be a cure or something to help us understand why and how we developed this condition. Not false hope but pure hope that one day I can be everything I have dreamed to be with or without diabetes by my side. I also hope to give the hope I feel to others who don’t, to make them see that sometimes God gives us the hardest battles because he knows we can overcome them.

What would you say to someone who’s just been diagnosed and is struggling?

My advice would be not to let other peoples comments define you.

Learn to listen and trust your body, understand your diabetes and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Always take your medicine even on days when you feel like you can’t, you definitely can.

What makes your life sweet ?

My hope makes me sweet. My hope to build a family and a life that I am proud of without letting Type 1 diabetes make me feel like I am any less of a human. I want to make memories with people I love and to create a future where people with diabetes never have to feel like they have to hide in shame. We are strong independent people who deserve love, respect and understanding.

Most importantly, never give up on yourself. Diabetes may be a part of your life but it does not define the person you are and the future you want.

Do you have a story to share about living with diabetes? Please share it with us!