My life changed once I finally accepted the fact that I have type 2 diabetes. After I got over the denial and the depression stage, I was able to accept it. I sought out resources and information on diabetes, which led me to the American Diabetes Association.
I learned a lot of information on this site, including the importance of portion control, eating balanced meals, how to read food labels, and factual information about diabetes. The site also had information about various support groups. I was so excited to learn there were many people in the world just like me. I even joined a few support groups and started to network with people who knew and could understand what I was going through.
This made a difference in my life and encouraged me to want to do better with managing my diabetes. While attending some of the support groups, I was asked if I wanted to take a diabetes education workshop. I said “yes” because I was eager to learn. The training was invaluable. After completing the workshops, I received a certificate as a Diabetes Wellness Ambassador. I started speaking at various health expos, schools, churches, fairs, and government agencies to teach diabetes workshops and to share my story. This was meaningful to me because I had a chance to give back, and to show others that while it’s not easy to manage diabetes, it can be done by taking one day and step at a time.
Identifying with others also gave me hope because I saw firsthand how people just like me were fighting for their own lives. It also helps you to identify your purpose. My purpose was that I wanted to live and be there for my 2-year-old son. I’m here to tell you that I may not get it right every day, and I have bad days, but I don’t let them get me down. I’ve been managing my A1c at 5.6 consistently. Additionally, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I’m able to do the 5K walks. This was a challenge for me in the beginning because I wasn’t big on exercising. Nevertheless, once I learned that exercising helped to reduce my numbers, it motivated me to get up and start moving.
While exercising, I started to feel better, and I started to look better too. I’m here to encourage you today to talk to someone: a friend, a family member, a counselor, a support group, or even a diabetes educator who can help you process having type 2 diabetes. You need a person who can inspire you not to give up or talk you through your bad days. A person who is not going to beat you up verbally when your numbers are high, or if you’ve had some sweets. A person who is just like you, who wants to help you “WIN!” My name is Robin Dorsey, and I have type 2 diabetes, and I am here for you, so let’s “WIN” together!
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A native of the Washington, DC, metro area, Robin Dorsey has lived with Type 2 diabetes for 15 years. She’s the award-winning host of The Impact with Robin Dorsey, which airs on DCTV public access and will soon be on Fairfax Public Access (FPA) TV. The show profiles nonprofit organizations, community outreach efforts, extraordinary individuals and celebrity red carpet events. She founded her own publishing company, Dorsey Publishing, and is the co-author of A Mother & Daughter Memoirs of Love, Desire, Pain and Inspiration. She wrote the book along with her late mother, Renita T. Mock. Robin is an Ambassador for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In addition, she has her MBA and provides subject matter expertise to the federal government. She has administered federal contracts for over 20 years. Her ultimate goal is to make a difference and to help “Stop Diabetes.” She is a proud mother to a handsome son, Darius, who is her biggest supporter and helps her maintain her diabetes.
Growing up as a young child, you don’t have a care in the world. You never think about what happens if you get sick – what you would do …
I wish people knew that just because you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean your life is over ….
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