“Everywhere She Goes, She Shows Her Support”
We all know how most stories from diabetics start; My name is Amy, I am 28 and was diagnosed with Type1 in October of 1994...blah, blah, blah. Well, I have a different story, one many of you might be able to relate to, past the "I have diabetes too" thought. Yes, I was diagnosed in 1994, but what didn't follow diagnosis was any help (or even a mention that I was likely to face depression of any sort) with the emotional struggle that came with my diagnosis.
Here I am, nearly 16 years later, and FINALLY, I have found that help.
In January, I discovered the Behavioral Diabetes Institute (BDI) and quickly registered for the "Defeating Depression and Diabetes" program. I couldn't wait. After the introduction (yes, that is all it took) I was in tears and swore I would move to San Diego (I currently reside in San Bernardino, CA) and find a way to be a bigger part of BDI. For once I felt hope, encouragement, and best of all, SUPPORT.
Since that first meeting, I have made regular trips to San Diego and rave about BDI to any diabetic I get the chance to. And this is where the sticker comes in… I ran out of people to tell and I needed to do more. Not just to support BDI, but to get help to as many fellow "doobies", as Dr. Polonsky often calls us, as I possibly can. The goal is that the more people who see my sticker, the more people who will find BDI.
My hope, that the amazing support and help that BDI offers will reach many across the U.S., and that BDI will get the support it needs to continue to offer these great programs and grow to help more and more people just like you and me. Just a few short months ago, I felt hopeless and alone and at war with my diabetes. Life isn't all sunshine and rainbows and my A1C isn't near perfection (yet). But with BDI's help I am no longer facing this struggle alone and have started looking at life in a new way; I didn't get diabetes, diabetes got ME!
I hope to meet you at one of the upcoming groups!