Never Dreamt I'd Become An Advocate For Anyone Other Than MY Child

When my daughter, then six, was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic 08/09/10. I recognized that the three of us, as a single parent family, had to make a choice. I could either raise her to be a victim of diabetes, let her use her medical condition as an excuse for potential shortcomings. Or I could raise her to fight. Fight for awareness, fight for equality, fight for fund raising, fight for ongoing research into a cure.

I had absolutely NO reservations whatsoever, to step up and speak up on her behalf, because after all, age six is pretty young to be able to speak out on your own sometimes.

I realized, that in becoming HER advocate, I would also become an advocate for Type 1 Diabetes in general. Actively involved in an advocacy for Type 1 Diabetics in elementary schools across British Columbia, Canada. Proud annual participant of the TELUS Walk To Cure Diabetes (find us on Facebook, Rowan's Recruits: The LadyBug Brigade)

Yet Type 1 Diabetes only represents ten percent of the total world diabetic population.

As many of you know (or perhaps not) Type 1 is very different from Type 2, particularly in HOW the disease is developed. Type 2 is brought on largely by genetics and lifestyle. Type 1 is an auto-immune disease. Unpreventable. These Type 1 Diabetics no longer produce insulin on their own, and are therefore DEPENDENT on insulin, either by injections, pens, or an insulin pump.

As a mother of a Type 1 diabetic, I have spent MUCH time trying to educate the public that Type 1 is NOT the same as Type 2. However, because the population of Type 2 diabetics is so vast, there is much confusion and misinformation surrounding Type 1.

I didn't think I would ever see the day that I would put down my Type 1 torch, and choose to carry the torch diabetes awareness (in general).

Lesson learned: by embracing Type 2 and the wonderful people within the diabetic community as a whole, my reach for awareness of Type 1 seems to have broadened.

When my daughter Rowan lay there in the hospital bed fighting to survive, I never dreamed I would step up and want to be an advocate for ALL diabetics. I wanted to fight for her. But my fight for her invited me to fight for everyone..... and so, here I am.

Yes.... diabetes is serious. Yes, the complications of mismanagement are rather terrifying. But there IS beauty within all of our own individual diabetic journeys. Things that once may have been taken for granted, are sweetly savored. This path has introduced me to so many people that I would not have met any other way.

Thank YOU for being part of my journey..... part of this diabetic advocacy.

Now let's get out there AND BE HEARD! The most remarkable journeys always start with a couple of small steps. Never underestimate your ability or potential. Diabetes... or not.

As a wise man recently told me "we aren't looking to change differing minds.... we are looking to find SIMILAR minds... and build momentum"

May peace and good health find you all.

With much love and respect,

Krystin
Woman.... artist.... Mother.... artificial pancreas.... advocate.... and everything in between.

PS: I invite you to check out our movement....
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/pages/NBC-346-Million-People-Deserve-An-Apology/210826292341284