Barry Collier

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. If you or someone you love has Diabetes (type one or two) give them a huge hug and let them know how proud you are of them. Think about joining different walks donating, or events to help raise awareness. Type One Diabetes is a very complex disease. It is often misunderstood as a simple matter of checking blood sugar and taking insulin, but medically, biologically, and practically, it is a highly volatile balancing act. This is a systemic disease that aggressively impacts an individual's mental, emotional, and physical health, along with almost every other dimension of their life. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body produces zero insulin, requiring mandatory, life-sustaining insulin injections or pump therapy from day one. Because it is a permanent supply issue, individuals must continuously count carbohydrates, calculate complex math, and monitor blood sugar levels around the clock with narrow margins for error. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body still makes insulin, but the cells resist it, making it harder to process glucose efficiently. Its management focuses on reducing that resistance through progressive steps, starting with nutrition, exercise, and oral or injectable medications, with the unique possibility of pushing the disease into complete remission through significant weight loss. November 21st, 2005 was the day that changed my life forever. I was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 11. I’m 32 now and have been fighting for 21 years. Although I suffer from different complications from my disease (stage 4 diabetic retinopathy is the major one) I’m still blessed to be here. This month in particular I highly encourage everyone to educate themselves on diabetes, the differences in type on and two. Learn more about diabetes management, complications, diabetes burnout the medical supplies involved, and more. Visit: diabetes.org