Having been away for a weekend of fun since Friday morning, I feel like I've been living under a rock! Albeit a really fun rock, with a little alcohol, BBQ, and great music, but still a rock.
So, as I watched Barack Obama introduce his first Supreme Court appointment, Sonia Sotomayor, this morning, I was taken aback to discover that she has type 1 diabetes. That she was diagnosed at eight years old. That she's lived with type 1 for 46 years.
How incredibly inspiring for people with diabetes. Even more inspiring, I would imagine, for those raising children with type 1.
Sometimes, adults tell their children (both those who have diabetes, and those who don't) "there is nothing you cannot do" fully realizing that this is probably not altogether true. It's one of those sentiments that when used appropriately, can make an enormous difference in a person's life. It plants confidence like a seed when it's first said, and with each repetition, it is nurtured. And the flowers of confidence that then grow are beautiful, colorful, and vivid indeed.
Today with Sonia Sotomayor's appointment, our confidence should be in full bloom. We should believe, with whole hearts that there is truly nothing we cannot do. Not only can we live healthfully, we can thrive, we can achieve, we can serve. All of these things, we know on most days, but they're too often vague and get lost in the stress and shuffle of life with the responsibilities of diabetes.
This morning, for me at least, the belief that nothing can stop me - that diabetes won't get in my way - is as clear as a bell. And that feels good. Particularly after a weekend of trying to stay balanced in spite of a number of schedule and eating challenges.
I can't wait to call my friend V, whose seven year old daughter was just diagnosed, knowing how much it will mean to that little girl (maybe not right in this moment, but certainly not far down the road) that when people tell her that diabetes won't get in her way - it just might be true. Because look at Sonia Sotomayor. Look at what she's achieved.
Sometimes, we all need some evidence. Sometimes, we need to be reminded.
Today I got more proof. Today the achievement of another whispered "you can do anything."
And my heart is light.
I can think of millions better examples of people with diabetes who have succeeded in life..........than Sonja......a pro abortion judicial activist of the worst kind.....I dont want to live in a society where babies who have diseases like diabetes are not allowed to be born..........
gruber - she's made a few anti-choice decisions too - and NOBODY is "pro-abortion". Anyway, it's neither here nor there, I agree with Nicole - her nomination is inspiring, regardless of her legal decisions.
I too was inspired by her accomplishments as a fellow diabetic. Anyone struggling with a disease like this can surely understand the challenges she must have faced throughout her life, especially not having today's technology. We may not all agree with everyone else's stances in life, but I don't think anyone who knows about diabetes can say that she hasn't worked hard to be as successful as she has been.
I have been diabetic (Type I) since 1964 and I am thrilled that a fellow diabetic is healthy enough and successful enough to be a nominee for the Supreme Court - it is a tremendous positive for those of us with this disease.
Sotomayor is an inspiration, that's for sure. Great post, Nicole.
And come on gruber ... "pro-abortion?" You should know better.
46 years with type 1. Accomplishment #1. Growing up in the projects - not having easy access to quality medical care and still living healthfully with type 2. Accomplishment #2. Princeton and Yale - and editor of the Yale Law Journal... Accomplishment #3. ADA in NY County, prosecuting robberies, assaults, murders, police brutality, and child pornography cases. Accomplishment #4. She is a centrist in a largely divided country, remaining true to the letter of the law... in spite of her personal positions. Accomplishment #5. There are about a hundred more I could list, but I won't, because to me the first two are most important to my point - she's a great role model for kids who might think diabetes could stop them... And frankly gruber, I think you're talking out of school. Did you know that she actually upheld the Mexico City Policy, something that won her no friends in the pro-choice community??
Hi, I was doing some blogging about type 1,My name is Antonia and my daughter got diagnosed with this disease when she was 9 years old,I'm doing a project for my med term class the subject is what resarch I will donate one million dollars if I would have it, and boy I wish I do!I read about your friends daughter, and I can just imagine what she is going through.It was so hard for us, and as a Mother for me more hard because I wanted to take it away,it was very confusing on my daughter side poor kid, she just don't got it she cant have things she loved to eat before.Well my point is, about the" we can't do nothing about it," is yes we can!We can't not take it away, and it is a very hard road, but we have to walk on it with our children. The Dr.told us when Barb got diagnosed she might never will have any children,she was in diabetes coma 4 times, and I cryed my eyes out and prayed to God to take it away, well He did not, because He can't.
Barb is 29 years old now, she was in the National Honor Sociaty,garduated top of her class, and guess what, she have three beautiful boy!Yes you can do anything, and I know when this little girl got this she don't know what is happening,but it is so many celebrity live with diabetes, look it Hally Barry, she got thr first Oscar, as an African-american,look it BB King, Mary Tyler Moore and I can go on, on this website you can find a page where is all of the famous people listed with Type1.You tell this little girls Mom do not give up, be patient,I know what she and the little girl going through because I went throught same thing.It is a beautiful place she can go to camp,Barb did till she was 16, Its called Camp Ho Mita Coda,it is in Ohio, a wonderfull place my daughter came home like a new. Every body in there have type1.So the reason is I choosed to write for you and choosed to write my project about juvenile diabetes because if I will have a million dollar, I will give that to children to build a camp for all of the children with diabetes where they can learn more about this, and they can have fun and not to vorry about how they have to adjust they plans, because everybody have a same disease in there.And when they come home they will come home with a dream, maybe one day they will be a famous women or men in politics, or a famous actor,or just a Mommy and Daddy, because yes, they can!!!!!!!!
And I do wish I have the money to give for resarch so no child and parent have to go through what a thousands and thousands people does every day to deal with this disease.Thank you for reading this.
Antonia
Having diabetes and living with it does not make a person a better candidate for a high position like a Supreme Court Justice, it is her legal qualifications and this is not a good choice for the US Supreme Court as a very liberal activist. She thinks the Supreme Court should make laws not interpret them . Making laws is the job of our representatives and senators who are elected by us.
Thankyou, D-Life for reporting this newsworthy information about judge Sotomayor's factual medical situation (diabetes) not only is it inspiring to those of us close to this little known condition but educational to those with little knowledge of same. Hopefully the myth-believers will better understand that diabetes if properly managed and controlled should not be a hinderance in life. For us who are close to this condition you have greatly inspired us and in my opinion contributed tremendously in further educating us....thankyou and congratultions on this great website
Hmm, how did this get to a political debate.
I am happy that a diabetic stayed healthy enough to make it to the top in her profession. How I feel about her point of views doesn't matter. There are diabetics everywhere. we can all do stuff. Some of do it because of diabetes, some do it in spite of, some never get a chance.So there are places to blog about politics, and this is about diabetes. Each one of us make valid points. Doctors seem to want to scare everyone in to believing diabetes is a death sentence, or we are stupid. Well, got news for the news people death will come to everyone,and stupid can be in anyone's life.But what i do in this life with all my life will make a difference in how I end up. I am a person with an illness that has a name but it doesn't own me, I own it. But just so others feel better I say "I have this illness." politics seems to end up about all the secrets they world thinks it has.Don't tell enough they think you lie, tell to much and the don't vote. Diabetes is my foe and my friend. This life has enough crap, so why jump in it , rub it all over yourself and ask do I smell good! Just learn to live, helping others, take care of business, and grow. Diabetic or not we can all thrive. PS this is just my thoughts no one as to agree, I feel the way I want regardless. Have a pleasant day.