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The InSite: How did I feel when you were first
diagnosed?
Russell: I had no idea what diabetes was. I was
sure it wasn't good, but for all I knew, I'd take
antibiotics and be fine in a week. Once it was explained to
me I felt very scared. I had the usual "Why me?" feelings,
and even thought if I ignored it, it might go away. I began
to accept it slowly. I spent some time in the hospital
(because I was dehydrated) That's where I realized it could
have been much worse. Most diabetics are brought into the
hospital unconscious. I was lucky enough to have a teacher
who was related to a diabetic and recognized the symptoms. I
was dehydrated and underweight, but otherwise fine.
I
had no idea what diabetes was. I was sure it wasn't
good...
TI: How'd your family take the news?
Russ: My mother is something of a perfectionist,
so she immediately read everything she could find on
diabetes so she wouldn't feel helpless. My brother and
sister were very worried about me, checking on me, making
sure I was eating right and taking my insulin. After a
while, though, it became just another thing I did. Everyone
dealt with it okay, and we learned how to incorporate it
into our lives.
TI: How does diabetes affect your life
personally?
Russ: Originally, for the first six months to a
year after I got my diagnosis, I was withdrawn and scared.
The ramifications of diabetes are many and varied. My
parents were very open about it with me, they explained the
disease and it's treatment to me. If not controlled it is
very dangerous. They also told me that I was the only one
who could keep it in check. Now, five years later, it has
become such a natural part of my life, I rarely think about
it.
TI: So people don't react differently to you when they
find out you're a diabetic?
Russ: The truth about it is there are so many
diabetics (roughly 16 million in the US, half of those
diagnosed) that almost everyone I meet knows someone who is
diabetic. The common stereotypes to people with these types
of illnesses still affect me.
TI: What kind of stereotypes do you mean?
Russ: Well, the general thought that anyone with a
disease is sickly. Some people think diabetes is
preventable, that I was being negligent and that's how I got
it. Others think it could be contagious. Most people,
though, think that because I have a disease I'm somehow weak
and fragile. So people are overly concerned with how I feel,
and some even tell me I shouldn't exert myself.
Most
people...think that because I have a disease I'm
somehow weak and fragile.
TI: So are these people just being silly?
Russ: Yes. Okay, maybe not silly, but over
protective. The bit about physical exertion is totally
false! In fact, I have made regular exercise a part of my
life. I have a job, I do school work... I am in every way a
normal teenager, except for a slight flaw in my
pancreas.
TI: How will the fact that you are diabetic
affect your future?
Russ: I have no answer to that question. Any
potential employer will, no doubt, take my diabetes into
consideration before hiring me. I don't have control over
that. However, diabetes will not affect my education.
I have serious plans for college, and a simple malfunction
is no reason to change them. There are still health risks,
which are most likely to develop later in life, but as long
as I take care of myself and am mindful of the risks, they
are all one hundred percent preventable.
TI: Is there a cure for diabetes?
Russ: At this moment in time there is no
permanent cure for diabetes. I live off of a
synthesized substitute for insulin which I inject into the
fatty tissue in the back of my arms, legs and in my
stomach.
At
this moment...there is no permanent cure for
diabetes.
TI: How about support groups for other young
people with diabetes?
Russ: There are incredible groups out there for
support, as well as people trying to find a cure. The
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and The
American Diabetes Association are two awesome groups
working towards the cure of diabetes. There are also many
local support groups.
For
the first six months to a year after I got my
diagnosis, I was withdrawn and scared. If not
controlled it is very dangerous... Now, five years
later, it has become such a natural part of my life, I
rarely think about it.
Send email to Russ at
[email protected]
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