Diabetes Doesn't Define You

Diabetes and being a Red Sox fan are one in the same. I'm a Red Sox fan, not by choice but by my genetic makeup of my father?s wishes. A baby dressed in Yankees gear wouldn't be welcome at my family home, unless used as a diaper.

But the similarities with Diabetes and Red Sox go on and on. There are good times, bad times, and times where the lineup is stacked against me. Like the Red Sox, sometimes I feel like I am just a few games back. I feel like I'm just one good start away from turning this whole diabetes world series around. Do I try something new, or stay with what got me here?

But then something out of the blue happens. I get a diabetic, Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, or Aaron Boone batting .161 hitting one deep over my head. Where did that come from? I thought I had everything under control. Diabetes hits me sometimes when I think I have everything in control. I used to get frustrated when it happens and still do, but like a good Red Sox fan I know it comes with the territory and tradition. "Keep your Head up Blue!"

Baseball and Diabetes is all about fundamentals. The better you are at keeping your glove down on a routine grounder, the more consistent you are checking you blood sugar before and after a meals make a big difference in the game. It?s the simple things done correctly that give you better success. You have to think like you're a professional and have confidence in making the routine plays. You'll hit one out of the ballpark one day, but the next day you could have rain on the field and need to adjust.

Preparation is the key. You always need a back up. What happens when your Starter goes down early in the game? What's your plan? The more backups you have (meters, insulin, glucose tabs, etc) the more confident you can be during the game and enjoy it. You already have you bases covered.

So as I start the climb back to the top of my diabetes division I need to keep in mind my attitude, my fundamentals, and preparation. Diabetes is a team sport. The better the players around you, the better you will do. We are all here on the same team so lean on us if you need. We all have the same goals in mind.

- Bill