hawken.dadako

My dad. Two childhood friends. My best friend’s sister. My ex-boyfriend’s father. Even my aunt’s cat. It seems that everywhere I turn diabetes is following me. As I progress through life, one by one people along the way are being diagnosed with diabetes.

I understand that having any type of disease or syndrome causes you to become more aware when people mention that specific disease or syndrome. But sometimes, it seems that diabetes isn’t just on my mind. It’s literally following me, taking down people in its path (or in my path).

Because I’ve dealt with diabetes for so long and because I’m very familiar with how it affects life, I would never want anyone to have to deal with it (yes, friend or foe). Type 1. Type 2. Type whatever.

It’s frustrating. It’s painful. It’s embarrassing. It’s life threatening. It’s time consuming. It’s annoying. It's expensive. And so many others.

So as I make this progression and see diabetes everywhere I turn, I can’t help but wonder if diabetes is inevitably out to get me. Is there some unspoken war? Is there a declared vendetta between diabetes and Lindsey?

Maybe so. Maybe it’s secretly contagious (uh oh, better stay away!). Or maybe not. Maybe I just happen to, coincidentally, be surrounded by people that are personally affected by diabetes.

In that case, exactly what is the purpose of that coincidence? Am I supposed to be listening to these numbers as they count up? Am I supposed to be working towards some diabetes goal, helping those around me?