Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Time to ask for some help.

I have diabetes. Many of you already know that. Many of you probably knew at one point, but maybe forgot because I don't tend to blog about it all that often. And many of you probably didn't know at all. But yes, I have diabetes and it touches my life every day, in every thing I do.

I've spent quite some time struggling to write this post. I don't know how to find the words to describe what having diabetes means to me. At times, it's just a "routine" . . . I take my insulin injections, I test my blood, I measure out my food and I exercise. It's part of my day, just as taking a shower or brushing my teeth is. At other times, it's the toughest thing I've ever dealt with. I can be going along, doing everything I'm supposed to, and BAM! My blood sugar crashes, I can't think straight and I'm a shaky mess. Another day, I've done the exact some routine, and WHOA! A very high blood sugar reading. There are so many variables of life that affect diabetes. Stress, hormones, physical exertion and so many other little factor most of us never need to think about. Diabetics learn to keep a close eye on themselves and try to factor in every detail of their day.

But you know what? I consider myself pretty lucky to have diabetes. Diabetes is not the death sentence it once was, or that many other diseases still are today. I am amazed at the advances that have been made even in my lifetime, since my diagnosis over 25 years ago. Yes, it is very hard work, but if you put in the effort, you see the results.

I'm not the kind of person who likes to ask for help. I'm more of a "do it myself" kind of girl. But there are times when we all need help, and today is one of those days. Today I am more than happy to ask for help, because the cause is so good. In October, I'll be participating in the ADA's Walk for Diabetes. In all honesty, I'm not walking for myself. I don't really believe that a cure will be found in my lifetime. I don't mean to sound defeated or hopeless, but there comes a time when you have to accept your lot and make the best of it. A cure in my lifetime would be fabulous, but I can't live my life waiting for that day.

What I do believe is that, bottom line, a cure will be found. I know there are children out there who are just being diagnosed today, or will be diagnosed in the near future. And I believe with every fiber of my being that a cure will be found in THEIR life-time. It is for them that I am walking, and for them that I am asking your help. If you are able, please click the button below and make a pledge to the Walk-A-Thon.


I'd like to be able to give something back to you all to thank you for your contributions, so I'm going to have a drawing and give out some prizes. Since I am asking for help from the Knit Blog community, I thought it would be really nice if the prizes could also help the Knit Blog community. To that end, I have begun ordering things from fellow bloggers who have started their own little businesses. First up, is the lovely skein of sock yarn, called Pansy, that Christine was kind enough to donate from her Fingerpaints shop. (THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHRISTINE!!!)Prize #1I've also got a Gettin' Knit Together kit on order from Knit 'n Plenty, and am working with Scout on a special colorway. I've got my eye on a few other prizes around blogland, and will be talking more about each of these in the up-coming weeks. Once the Walk-A-Thon is over, I will hold a raffle for everyone who was kind enough to make a donation and hand out the loot! I also encourage you to spread the word on your own blog, if you are so inclined.

13 comments:

Nancy said...

Believe me, I know how hard it is to ask for help. But, I hope you know that you have a lot of friends out here who are pleased/blessed/happy to help!

somebunnysloveDOTcom said...

Hey there sweetie. My mother has had diabetes since her late 30's. She fought long and hard to avoid taking insulin, but had to accept it a few years ago. I would like to give a hank of some incredible yarn I found recently if at all possible as a sort of prize.
=:8

Melissa said...

When I get paid, count me in on a monetary donation.
And, e-mail me about another type of donation. :)

MissyJoon said...

I am in, in, in on this, and am inspired by you!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so in!!! I'll click over to the donation area as soon as I finish this comment.
Also, I'm going to be dying some yarn on Thursday. I'm not a famous blogland hand dyer or anything, but I would still love to donate a skein of those that I dye for your raffle.
Good luck with the walk.

Anonymous said...

I will post this to my blog today and will make a donation at the end of the week! Good luck with you walk!

Noey D. said...

Hugs to you Karen! We're happy to make a donation and mention it on our blog! You can put the donation button on my blog if you want. (you know I can't do it myself!!) Love, Karyn & Noey :)

Scoutj said...

I dyed the yarn today! It will go out tomorrow okay? It's really pretty.

Anonymous said...

Okay making a donation now...it's not as much as I'd like to give but at least it's something.

The little brother of my best friend growing up has diabetes. I remember being the one to run to the fridge to grab the orange juice whenever he starting crashing - which was often because he wasn't good with keeping track of his blood sugar.

Oh and I tagged you for the TTAAL meme ;o)

Heide said...

Karen, I had no idea that you had diabetes. I feel like such a whiner for complaining all the time about having MS when here you never even mention that you struggle daily with a more life-impacting disease than most of us will ever have to endure. Of course I will donate to your walk and I'm going to rack my brain for something I can donate to your raffle. Big hugs!

Anonymous said...

I think you're a very brave and strong woman - you're definitely an inspiration for all of us out there! All the best of luck to you!

Anonymous said...

In light of what my FIL is going thru with Diabetes right now - I couldnt help but donate to your fund raising effort. Thank you so much....

Anonymous said...

My youngest son Sam was diagnosed at age 4 with type 1 diabetes. He is 9 now and wears an insulin pump. We check his blood up to 10 times a day because he is so active.
I hate fund raising! So thank you for walking for all of us.
Melissa in Maine

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