type1grace

On World Diabetes Day, I thought it would be appropriate to share this piece of my heart with you. In collaboration with fellow type 1 diabetics, I finally finished the post I've been working on since 2016. 14 November 2018 The hardest part about having an invisible illness is that it’s invisible. From the outside, nothing seems to be wrong. Being able to see and visualize something makes it so much easier to understand. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want your pitty or sorry’s. Explaining an invisible chronic illness to someone is similar to explaining colour to a colourblind person. In a way, you can image or guess what it’s like, but you can’t possibly fully comprehend it. The reality is that an invisible illness is something you don’t “get”, until you get it. What you see, is an ordinary woman or man, girl or boy, living alongside you. Doing what you do, liking what you like and talking like you talk. What you see, are tired eyes and some bruises; which go by...

@type1grace on Instagram What it's like not being normal , and not what it's like being abnormal . The constant comparisons between you and others, by yourself or by others.   Today has been a little overwhelming. To say the least. Ever had a day where everything just went south from the moment you opened your eyes? Well, today is one of those days. Having GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), a day with an emergency doctor’s appointment ordered by my doctor, is very stressful. I kind of anticipated what he was going to tell me. I knew that he will give me good and bad news. I also knew to which extent the "bad news" would be. It's my body I live in, so I know that it's broken. And unfixable to a certain extend. The day took it's own path. After two hours passed at the doctor's office, I got to my residence where I live. Just taking a break from the stressful day, I took my position on my bed, and watched a YouTube video, just like...

Everyone wants to be normal. But what is normal? Normal people are healthy, happy and has hope. Type 1 diabetics? Not normal at all. As soon as people notice that you are different, bullying and teasing becomes a big reality. I spent 8 nights in hospital after my diagnosis. I only went back to school after a month. I was physically and emotionally tired. I was really happy to be back in my old environment. To see all my friends, to be part of something again and to show my injections off (so typical of a child). My mathematics teacher was the only rude one to me after I returned to school. I remembered how I greeted her and told her that I am back. I went to my chair, and in front of the whole class, she said that she waited for my death certificate. Everyone had a slight laugh and then looked at me. Even now, I feel like shedding a tear about that day. I felt so useless and idiotic. When looking back on those few months, those few words from my mat...