Andy Wise’s Story
February 8, 2007 was the day my life changed forever. That is the day I walked into a doctor’s office and was told that I had Diabetes Type 1. I, like most people, didn’t know much about Diabetes except for the fact that my brother, Scott, was diagnosed with it less than two years prior. The news was absolutely devastating and the task ahead of me was insurmountable. I was told for the rest of my life, I would have to prick my finger 6 to 8 times a day to check my blood sugar level. I would have to take a shot of insulin everyday, three times a day, for the rest of my life. I was told I would have to count every carbohydrate I ate, read all food labels, and eliminate what seemed like everything in the world I liked to eat and drink. I didn’t even know what a carbohydrate was. I had to know at all times what my blood sugar level was. I had to carry insulin with me everywhere I went….everywhere. I had to carry a meter with me and glucose tablets with me at all times. It felt like the whole world was crashing in on me and there was no where to hide. It was one of the scariest times of my life. I had no answers and there was no way to “fix” this problem.
I, however, was lucky. I was 31 when this happened to me. I have an unbelievable support group of loved ones - family, wife, friends, and a brother that knew the ropes. I was able to learn to manage this scary disease. I was mature enough to know that Diabetes is serious and my life must change to adjust to this disease if I wanted to be around for a long, healthy and productive life.
I can’t imagine being a child and facing the same issues I face today. The courage these kids must have is remarkable!
We all have our causes. We all are passionate about different things. If there is ever a cause I believe I should get behind, it is to help the children that are going through the same struggles with Diabetes as I am. If you are able, you can make a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) which is hosting a walk for the cure on October 18th, 2008 in Atlanta. Please see the links listed below to make a donation. If a donation isn’t possible, please pass this note on to others.
Thank you in advance!
Andy Wise
Donation link: http://walk.jdrf.org/
