My name is Joanna and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 22. Other than having diabetes I am also an athlete, student, girlfriend, swimcoach, receptionist, boardmember, avid baker, and the list goes on... Interested to learn more? - then read my blog why dont you ;)
Life is pretty long although diseases that have happened to me and my family makes us think it's shorter than what "normal" people think.. These kind of things seem to happen to many these days, is there really a "normal"? anyhow that's not my point. My point is, things take time and life is long so things will eventually work out if you carry a good spirit and work ethic.. I'm so used to everything happening so fast, like going from a perfectly healthy swimmer in cleveland to being sick on the plane home to Stockholm for emergency care or one day living in Sweden going to high school and the next attending college in the US.. Not everything happens that quickly. If there is something you want, you might have to work for it longer and be patient (I usually don't have patience at all). Also, if you don't know what you want, give yourself time to figure that out! If you're having a bad day, allow yourself to just take it easy but then pick yourself up the next day. Have faith in yourself that you are not a lazy or incompetent person just because you need a little break or to take it easier for just a second.. So ultimately my point is, give yourself time, without procrastinating of course, and believe that what you feel or think you need is right (meaning if you are tired and need a slower work out for example, go for a walk wink wink ;)!
You people who know me well probably know what this post is really about ;)
In November 2012 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, in the middle of my last season as an elite swimmer at Cleveland State University, USA. This is my story of how I try to come to terms with that my survival will depend mainly on maintaining a good regime with taking insulin and blood glucose tests for the rest of my life. Since putting the competitive swimming career aside for a more "normal" lifestyle I have picked up triathlon and last year I completed my first Iron Man. My current goal is to become a better runner!
