When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, due to the fact that I was the first person in my family to have diabetes, I had no idea on how this was going to affect not only my life but my family and friends as well.
I was diagnosed by my family doctor who ensured that I could test my sugar and inject myself before leaving his rooms - due to this I was not admitted into hospital on diagnosis - thankfully
The first 18 months of having type 1 diabetes was not a pretty sight and was rough on the family (Mom, Dad and Sister). I was in the stage that people call "denial" where I did not take my insulin injections or test my sugar levels - living with ketones became a weekly occurrence. My Mom and Dad had done some research into diabetes and my Mom had a friend whose son has type 1 Diabetes and drew a lot of information from her - due to this newly found knowledge of diabetes the understanding of danger and stress I was putting my body under became apparent.
This had to change and so my parents bribed me to go on a diabetes camp promising me a new cellphone if I went for the weekend. My initial reaction was - HELL NO - I am not going to waste my entire weekend at a stupid camp, with people I did not know, which had Diabetes - little did I know at the time that this would change my life forever.
After attending my first diabetes camp I realized that there were other people out there who have to go through the same things as I do on a day to day basis with diabetes made me feel that I can do this. Having interacted with many of the teens at camp, some of them having diseases other than Diabetes that they have to manage as well change my perception on diabetes and I should be grateful that Diabetes is a manageable condition and one can live a healthy and active life with diabetes.
After the first camp that I attended - they could not get rid of me and I became a Youth leader. The friendships that I had made are ones that i know will last a life time.
Keegan thank you for what you brought to these camps, you embraced your diabetes, make the educators run laugh and cry :). That first camp will always be a turning point in so many youngsters life and Im glad this is a memory that you will remember I love you Keegan you great person, inspiration and role model.
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