Living Well With Diabetes: Reach Out

“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main…”
—John Donne, Meditation XVII

There’s a certain irony to the fact that while I am the one responsible for managing my health, I cannot do it all by myself.

I’m not a health expert. I don’t know everything there is to know about diabetes or exercise. Heck, I’m not even a very good cook! I’m human. Sometimes I have to rely on others.

Every successful person has a support team.

My support team includes my doctor and dietitian. They help me understand how my body works. They help me understand what I need to do to live healthfully. They answer my questions. They remind me that I don’t need to know it all.

My support team includes my friends and family. They cheer me up and cheer me on. They help me keep my routine healthful. They help me keep my surroundings diabetic-friendly. They remind me that I don’t have to do it all by myself.

My support team includes people I know online. They share their ideas, struggles and triumphs on forums and blogs. Sometimes they make me laugh, sometimes cry. They remind me that I am not alone.

Support teams can include  co-workers, church members, sports teammates. Some hospitals even host support groups.

It doesn’t matter where the support team comes from. What matters is that they are reliable.