The Ugly:
- Emotional swings
- Impact on relationships
- Having to watch what I eat and do
- Know the pharmacist’s middle name
- Stabilizing blood sugar before bedtime to avoid late night reactions
- My fingers are pin cushion
- Always Interrupting daily activities
- Stopping to take care of the diabetes
- Lastly, I hate the cognitive issues that diabetes comes with
Awesome things diabetes has taught me:
- Tolerance for others’ lay attitudes
- Patience to wait to get my wants filled
- The ability to overcome any obstacles that may come my way
- Loving myself for who I am and not what others want me to be
- To get back on my feet when life kicks me to the ground
- Resiliency
However, the actual question is: What have I done while having diabetes?
I have overcome a learning disability to follow my dream to become a Diabetes-Focused Psychotherapist. I have traveled all around the world. I am a writer, a poet, a painter, a photographer, a therapist, a friend, a romantic, and a Renaissance man.
Diabetes showed me that I am a man who can do anything he puts his mind too. I am even blogging from a vacation in Turks and Caicos. (See photo from last night above)
In many ways, diabetes has helped define some of my best attributes. Boo Ya
To get help or for more information on Diabetes-Focused Psychotherapy go to Eliot’s website or set up a free 30-minute phone consultation.
Eliot LeBow, LCSW, CDE, is a diabetes-focused psychotherapist. His private practice, located in New York City and is also available via Skype. LeBow, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1977, treats the many diverse cognitive, behavioral, and emotional needs of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
