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Diversity Role written assignment: Living with diabetes Texas State University- San Marco’s COM 1310: Fundamentals of Human Communication Emilee Morris Most college students don’t spend their days worrying about taking insulin, heart disease, stroke, high or low blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system damage, and amputations. However, when you live with type one diabetes, these things are constantly on your mind. Managing each and every day around a deadly condition such as diabetes is a difficult task to fulfill. Although around 11. 3% of 20-30 year olds suffer from diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2013).
Most Americans do not know the daily struggle of living with an illness that has no cure. Although my diabetes has a huge impact on my life, I still manage to be the person I want to be, achieve my goals, and remain optimistic. (Thesis Statement) “In type one diabetes, the body does not produce insulin for unknown reasons. Insulin is a hormone that is essential for remaining alive”. ( American Diabetes Association, 2013). “Insulin’s main role is to help move certain nutrients, like sugar, into body tissue cells. These cells use nutrients from meals as a source of energy to function”. (WebMD, 2012).
With the help of insulin shots, people like me, with type one diabetes can manage their condition and live happy lives. (Question 1). Although type one diabetes is a life threatening disease, I am still able to live my life pretty normally. I was diagnosed with type one diabetes when I was only 6 years old. Growing up was a difficult task, not only for me, but for the people around me as well. My classmates weren’t very mindful of my disease and would frequently tease me; I knew they assumed superiority over me because I was different. Every day after each meal I have to take my insulin shot.
I also need to check my blood pressure and glucose levels daily. Constantly having to check blood pressure and take insulin shots often causes people to stare or even comment on my disability. But other than that my day is Just like any other Texas State students, I go out with friends, attend class, study at the library, and even go to work. (Question 2). Having diabetes is pretty time consuming, but it has not disabled me from working. I currently work as a cashier at a local textbook store to help pay for my college tuition. (Questions). Every day tasks such as eating can be quite difficult sometimes.
I constantly have to check my blood sugar levels before and after I eat to make sure that they aren’t too high or low. After I eat each meal I need to take an insulin shot on my stomach. I also need to count my intake of calories, crabs, sugars, sodium, and trans fat for each meal. “It is extremely important to keep track of sugar levels because over time high sugar levels will damage the nerves and blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, and heart. It can also cause arteries to become hard, which lead to heart attack and stroke”. (WebMD, 2012). (Question 4). I try to have intercultural communication competence when I have to take my insulin shot.
When in public places I go into a more private area, sun as ten restroom to take my Insulin snot, or to snuck 01000 sugar levels. I go Into more private areas to prevent creating socially awkward situations for the people around me. (Question 5). How ever, when I am forced to treat my diabetes in a public area I some times get asked questions. Some of the more frequently asked questions include: what causes diabetes? Why do you have to take insulin shots? ‘The exact cause of type one diabetes is still unknown, however there is several factors that can contribute to type one diabetes, which include genetics and exposure to certain irises”. American Diabetes Association, 2013). “Insulin shots are essential to type one diabetics because the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is a necessary hormone that allows sugar to enter cells. ” (American Diabetes Association, 2013). (Question 6). In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering at The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, also know as JUDD. JUDD helps raise awareness and funding to find a cure for type one diabetes. I help host the kid’s walk to cure diabetes in Austin, it brings in lots of donations, while educating others about type one diabetes. (Question 7).