Resilience and Diabetes Awareness Month
Written by : Beri Gebrehiwot
34.2 million Americans have Diabetes. Just let that sink in for a moment. (source: CDC February 2020)
Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder that causes elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. When we eat, our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. This triggers the pancreas to release a hormone called insulin. Insulin acts as a “key” that allows glucose to enter the cells from the blood. If our body doesn’t produce enough insulin to effectively manage glucose, it can’t function or perform properly. This causes the buildup of too much glucose in our blood stream.
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause serious complications by damaging blood vessels and organs. Nutrition and exercise can help manage diabetes, but it’s also important to track blood glucose levels. Treatment may include taking insulin or other medications.
Furthermore, certain groups are at higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes, such as African-Americans.
Please learn more about Diabetes, the different types of diabetes and why it is important to understand and properly manage. Click Here to Read More.
Meet, Winta. A young woman who was diagnosed with Diabetes at a young age and has had a challenging road with the disorder, landing her on the Kidney recepient list. Her resilience, positivity and desire to share information about Diabetes in our community is nothing short of inspiring.
I was able to ask Winta a few questions about her journey- here’s what she had to say.
Name:
Winta Teclay
When did you become diagnosed with Diabetes:
I was diagnosed at the age of 7 with type 1 diabetes. By the age of 25, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with kidney failure.
What were some of the cultural barriers, taboos or struggles you experienced:
Growing up with juvenile diabetes was extremely difficult because there was a language barrier with my parents and the medical team. I remember my parents getting frustrated because they didn’t understand a lot of the medical terms. Luckily, my mom had a great understanding about diabetes because she was a diabetic from when she was pregnant with me till now. I’ve always had a great support system to help us out.
Would you say you (or your parents) had adequate education/resources for how to treat and live with Diabetes?
I was diagnosed by an endocrinologist at the Children’s Hospital center in DC and they set us up with a medical team that had a nutritionist. As a child, I did not understand why I had to eat different foods from my brothers but the nutritionist educated my mom on how to make my food not distinguishable. They had many resources such as support groups and a list of professionals that you can reach out to.
You are currently waiting for a Kidney donation. Tell us about your journey and how you got to where you are today.
Doctors do not tell you, but if you are a diabetic you should refrain from ever getting a contrast dye injection for any procedure, that is how my kidneys failed.
Apparently the kidneys of a diabetic are allergic to contrast dye and we do not know this until we find out. I have been going through this journey for about 2 1/2 years now and it has been extremely draining.
I have to do PD dialysis every single night at home. I’ve been on the kidney and pancreas transplant list for about a year and a half. This process is extremely difficult and time consuming. There are a lot of tests required before you can qualify. Also, they require you to go to the lab and get your blood drawn every month to make sure you do not have hepatitis. I have a transplant team and a coordinator that I communicate with often . My days are extremely tough. I barely have energy, my blood pressure is usually all over the place, I barely have an appetite, and I am always tired. I learned that patience and positivity will get you through it.
What would you like people in our community to know about diabetes and/or the donor/recipient process.
Diabetes is not a joke. Make sure you take great care of your kidneys. This is something I would never wish on anyone. Be careful and watch what you eat.
I’ve decided to become a vegan and I have been doing this for a year now. As habesha people we eat a lot of carbs, so we really do need to be careful.
I think we need to do better and educate ourselves more about diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
As for the kidney transplant list, basically anyone can qualify to donate a kidney as long as they are not diabetic or have cancer in their blood. They do have other qualifications and requirements I just don’t remember them at the top of my head. They even have a program where if you are not the same blood type they will switch that person‘s kidney for someone else that has your blood type, just to bump you up on the list.
For those on the recipient list, be patient. Your day will come. Make sure that you have signed up for as many transplant lists as possible. Feel free to reach out to me so we can exchange information on what we both know.
Any words of encouragement or advise for those who are living with diabetes:
Stay positive and keep yourself busy with a hobby. I know this journey is tough but you will get through it. Whatever you do, don’t give up because if God is waking you up he is not done with you yet. Keep fighting soldier.
How about for someone who is on a donor list:
If you are on the donor list, please feel free to contact me. I am on the list waiting for a kidney and I have a very good friend that’s in the same exact situation. If you want to sign up to be on the list I can give you information and tell you which website to go to for more info.
Anything else you’d like to share or request from our community?
I don’t want sympathy from anyone because I know that there are people out there that go through way worse than what I go through. I just like to remind people to make sure that you appreciate everything in life because there are people out here that pray for better days. Always remember that God will get you through everything so if you are going through the same situation or something even worse, Count your blessings. Every day is a blessing so make sure you cherish that. Positivity is key.
There are currently 121,678 people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in the U.S. Of these, 100,791 await kidney transplants. (as of 1/11/16) 1
For more information, please visit the National Kidney Registry here.
You can also learn more about organ donation and transplantation here.
Also, you can connect with Winta on her Instagram page here.