Diabetics must learn to control their diabetes without letting diabetes control their lives completely. Yes, you do have to make concessions to the disease. You DO have to take charge of your eating and drinking as well as your level and frequency of exercise. You DO have to test your blood sugar on a regular basis, and you do have to take your medicine or inject insulin as needed. But that isn’t all there is to life.

Many very famous people have type 1 diabetes. Most of the time, these famous people don’t advertise the fact that they have diabetes — not because they are ashamed or embarrassed by the disease, but because it isn’t important to who they are or what they do.

Halle Berry, Victor Garber, Dorian Gregory, Mary Tyler Moore and Jean Smart are all actors and actresses who have Type 1 diabetes. Nick Boynton and Bobby Clarke were both hockey players who have Type 1 diabetes. Mark Collie, the country music star, is also a diabetic.

Diabetes is a problem that doesn’t just “go away.” It isn’t an illness that is going to “run its course” and be gone. Diabetes must be taken care of every day, including weekends and holidays. You can’t take a “vacation” from diabetes. But that doesn’t mean that diabetes determines who you are or what you can accomplish.

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, it may feel like the end of the world, but it isn’t. You will need to make some lifestyle adjustments. You must test your blood sugar levels, and you must take your meds, but that isn’t ALL you must do. You must also go out there and live your life to the fullest. Do what YOU do. Enjoy! Achieve! Live!