I have a good friend in Australia whose son was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Initially he was devastated. He, himself, has been an example of strength and fitness all his life. He raised his family on an ethic of respect for fitness and health and has two strapping boys and a healthy strong wife. So the news that one of his boys has diabetes forced a reckoning in their lives, to never , ever take life, strength and health for granted.
As a school teacher I come across many students with diabetes. While a few of them are, like my friend's son in Australia, examples of fitness and vitality, the majority are not. Many have obesity problems, low energy and are extremely unmotivated to manage their disease. This shocked me.
Given the enormous amount of information and education around diabetes on how to manage or prevent it, I am struck dumb by the way people flirt with their strength and vitality. Many become overweight and weak, then are prone to UNNECESSARY diseases, such as diabetes.
The other, often forgotten piece to this UNNECESSARY nightmare, is the high financial cost to not only the victims and their families, but also to the nation as a whole. It is estimated that the current national medical bill to maintain, treat and regulate diabetes annually is in the vicinity of between $92 billion to $112 billion.
In the light of recent world disasters such as the devastation in Haiti from an earthquake, or the ongoing poverty in Africa and China the planet's medical bill is looking more and more unmanageable. Given how vast a problem the next generation is facing in terms of health alone, I cannot but reflect on how much each one of us, alone, has a responsibility to change things at the micro or personal level, in order to affect change in the macro or system level.
You alone must make the difference. We no longer have the luxury of waiting for someone else to change the way things are. Each one of us must become a revolutionary in our own lives, changing poor and costly habits. Take your health into your own hands, manage it as best as you can, look for and get support from others, and we can start to turn things around.
There is no time. Start now.
Stay Strong,
Lawrence
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Good for you Julia. I tend to bump into unusual people who take care of themselves and have amazing stories. It is tremendously inspiring to hear how others, like yourself and Will, work and manage their diabetes. I think it is a discussion worth having. Your stories should be out there. On the opposite side of the coin – Why are the cases of diabetes rising at the same rate of chronic obesity? How do we help each other through this epidemic? How do you use your story to encourage and inspire others who need it? It is not going away. It is crippling the economy. It is getting worse. Many people need help. Time to push back and educate, inspire and succeed.
I have had diabetes for many years and yes i have a weight problem as well but i am not a weak person. Both the diabetes and the weight problem were the unwanted side effect of a medication used to treat a serious mental illness. I work out at the gym regularly and eat according to the guidelines set out by the Australian Diabetes Association. So please do not make assumptions that just because a person is over weight or had diabetes that they are weak, because i for one am not
Excellent Will. You are an example of waking up and managing this ticking time bomb. Any ideas you care to share I would love to collaborate and help your cause!
Lawrence,
Your article is well written and timely. We’re in the midst of an obesity and resulting diabetes crisis. Consider that less than half of the 25 million diabetics in the US have any education about a disease that NEVER goes away.
My work with fellow diabetics revolves around our relationship with the disease. I like the carrot as a motivator rather than the stick. Most of us know the consequences of untreated diabetes; however if we know the value of well-treated diabetes, maybe we’ll take action to achieve self-care mastery. I am dedicated to educating and waking up as many diabetics as I can.