My story of becoming diabetic is similar, yet different to ones I've read before. I was diagnosed very shortly after my 13th birthday. Shortly before my birthday, I was experiencing the symptoms of a diabetic. I was constantly thirsty, I would be going to the bathroom literally every 20-30 minutes (this made sleeping, being in school, and hanging out with friends very difficult.) I would beg my mom to let me stay home after lunch break so I could have a nap, I was also whiter than a ghost and eating more than I should have while still losing weight. This just added to the complications of becoming a teenager and going through puberty.
It was weird though, I was almost... Excited, and scared at the same time because this was something that made me different than anyone else in my school. It made me special. When my parents heard the news, they came to my school, I got called into the office, and my parents where there with a bag of clothes, just in case I had to go to the hospital. I was fortunate that I didn't have to go to the hospital, but I was very close. For the next three days, I was educated on diabetes along with my parents. How to handle it and deal with it, and setting me up with all the devices I would need to manage it.
It was a huge game changer to everyone in my family, and even with my friends. The teachers in my school were informed of my situation due to me missing those 3 days, and were supportive through the rest of my school years. The only thing I wish they wouldn't have done, was treat me differently and question whether I was able to have a piece of candy, or some food that was brought to class.
Winnipeg, Canada
