Human Faces of Childhood Diabetes: <i>Be positive and win the world</i>
27-years old Segufta Dilshad was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4. But it was never a barrier in her life. With proper treatment and healthy lifestyle, she has conquered diabetes. Now she has a happy family with a-5-year old daughter.
Segufta DilshadUnlike the threat of cancer or heart-attacks, people (the children and adolescent in particular) do not consider diabetes a fatal disease. Therefore usually they do not take necessary steps to maintain good health to prevent diabetes and its complications or seek care when they should. Diabetes makes a life more challenging as it outnumbers all other challenges a child can encounter in his/her life. Parents can play a significant role in offering a child independent of such challenging situations by exposing them to discipline, self-control, will power, strength of mind and overall — a balanced life. A diabetic child can enjoy a full and active life, balancing the rigour of school work including many other interests, only if he/she can control diabetes both psychologically and clinically. Diabetes awareness is important to me. I believe it should be important to everyone. Spreading awareness about diabetes and its complications can be an important mission for the younger generation. That can be better achieved by engaging them in the awareness process itself. Continued positive attitude could help bringing diabetes out of the shadows making a difference for millions living with diabetes worldwide. It is the positive frame of mind that helped me a lot in bringing all the success I could achieve so far. I strongly believe if someone is positive, he/she can go the distance. So, be positive and win the world. The writer is a diabetic patient since her childhood (photograph illustrated in the right). e-mail: segufta@yahoo.com
I am Anika Anzum Sabi. I am twelve years old. I am studying in class-VI. Whenever my parents heard that I have diabetes, they were very upset as much as me. None has diabetes in my family. Right after the diagnosis, my parents took me to a doctor. He assured us and taught me how to take insulin. He also guided me how I will live a regular life. Initially I experienced hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar level) several times. After administering several insulins and adjusting the dosage, now I am quite ok. Now it has been two years since I have diabetes. I heard that many children of different parts of the world have diabetes. If I eat fast food and sweet foodstuffs, then sugar will rise. I wish that the children would not eat too much fast food and sugary bits instead of eating healthy food. We should study regularly, eat our meal routinely, play and live a better life.
I am Disha. I have diabetes from 7 years of my age. Now I am 14. I do not think diabetes a major disease. There are many people who fear diabetes. I am not so scared like them. Diabetes, a chronic disease makes very little sense to me; rather I feel better thinking myself as a diabetic that has gifted me a designed or disciplined life. I am happy for my early diagnosis, which brings harmony in my unplanned life and helps getting rid of my irregularities. I used to practice some bad habits like avoiding dinner, not playing much and most importantly not taking food regularly. Now I am habitual of a planned life and take calculated diet. Sometimes, I cannot satisfy my appetite and take excess food. Then I have to control my blood sugar level by exercise to a greater extent. Occasionally, it makes me feel bad as I cannot control myself all the times or cannot carry out exercise after a heavy meal every time. But it does not make big problems in my daily life. I feel good at my school too. I like chocolates and always carry two chocolates in my school bag. Whenever I feel unwell like sweating, vertigo (signs of hypoglycaemia) I take chocolates without undue prolongation. This seems to be very interesting to me. If I can continue my life in this planned way, I hope to keep obesity away. I take injections four times a day. I receive insulin three times and Lantus for single time. I can give injections by myself. Sometimes my mother helps me in this regard. I am not afraid of injecting insulin. I believe them as a part of my life, my real friend who keeps me heal and hearty. Diabetes gives me another happy experience. Whenever I wish to take cold drinks, I take diet cola unlike my friends. I feel better thinking that diabetes guides me taking diet cola rather than normal cold drinks, which would make me fatty. There is least chance of being obese compared to my non-diabetic friends. Moreover, my family members are learning from me and benefitted by taking planned diet along with me. Our family members now take less sugar diet and avoid eating excess sweets, which is full of calorie that indirectly leads some ailments. Doctor advises me to eat regularly, do exercise routinely and to take less calorie food. Like other conscious people, I always try to follow these advices. I never dislike diabetes. Rather I like diabetes as it helps me to stay heal and hearty. I know a lot regarding the disease. Now I am happy that I can give suggestions to other people. To me, diabetes is not a disease but an intimate friend.
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