Bubble Love
Define NORMAL: the usual, average, or typical state or condition.
As a diabetic, I often feel abnormal. It makes sense right? I have to constantly think about nutrition, insulin, carbohydrates, how exercise will affect my blood sugar, what people are thinking when they see my insulin pump on my stomach at the beach, how pizza will affect my sugars, how any type of food will affect my blood sugars, do I have my fruit snacks in case I go low, do I have my extra pump supplies with me in case of pump failure and the list goes on and on. As I grew up, it became more and more evident how abnormal I was....and not because I can be a weirdo ;).... but because I have 2 sisters without diabetes, my entire family lives without diabetes and I often wondered why me? Well at the age of 10 I finally lived one week feeling like I was normal so only for 51 weeks of the year I felt abnormal but I had the support from some AMAZING people from that 52nd week that supported me and made me realize how normal I could feel.
Where was I that 52nd week of the year? A magical place called Camp Lakota, aka Lion's Camp, aka ADA Camp and finally just calling it like it is Diabetes Camp. I've spent 15 weeks at this magical place in my lifetime and I promise you that it will not stop there. Why? Because this place can house over 150 diabetics AT ONE TIME! And you know what you get when you get that many diabetics in one place? A new normal.
I sometimes feel bad for those that join us and feel "left out" because they don't have diabetes but then I smile to myself and know that they are OK with being the minority for 1 week out of the year. I've had people suggest that they join me at this magical place but I have to inform them that they may feel a little left out. haha
So let me tell you about the magic. The friends I have from here are going to be around for a lifetime because you know what? They are in the diabetes love bubble. It was a phrase coined by me during one of my mission moment speeches during a staff meeting. The phrase just came out and it came from a special place in my heart because that's what I feel like camp is to me. My little bubble for one little week but we always come back to the bubble. There is always support when we are going through the ups, the downs and the ignorance of diabetes. 2 more magical stories for you. I was 17 weeks pregnant when I headed up to camp for a weekend of helping with orientation. I couldn't stay because I didn't have enough vacation so I just stayed for the weekend. (like I said this place means A LOT) Well that little miracle growing inside me decided to move for the very first time. I'm not kidding. I was so filled with emotions it still gets me going. The last bit of magic I am going to share with you happened this last year. My husband and I finally got an accepted offer on a house that I didn't even see in person while I was at camp and I love it. The hubby did an amazing job finding a good one for us and thankfully the 4th time was a charm for us.
So screw normal. I'd take my love bubble and everyone in it until my dying breath.
As a diabetic, I often feel abnormal. It makes sense right? I have to constantly think about nutrition, insulin, carbohydrates, how exercise will affect my blood sugar, what people are thinking when they see my insulin pump on my stomach at the beach, how pizza will affect my sugars, how any type of food will affect my blood sugars, do I have my fruit snacks in case I go low, do I have my extra pump supplies with me in case of pump failure and the list goes on and on. As I grew up, it became more and more evident how abnormal I was....and not because I can be a weirdo ;).... but because I have 2 sisters without diabetes, my entire family lives without diabetes and I often wondered why me? Well at the age of 10 I finally lived one week feeling like I was normal so only for 51 weeks of the year I felt abnormal but I had the support from some AMAZING people from that 52nd week that supported me and made me realize how normal I could feel.
Where was I that 52nd week of the year? A magical place called Camp Lakota, aka Lion's Camp, aka ADA Camp and finally just calling it like it is Diabetes Camp. I've spent 15 weeks at this magical place in my lifetime and I promise you that it will not stop there. Why? Because this place can house over 150 diabetics AT ONE TIME! And you know what you get when you get that many diabetics in one place? A new normal.
I sometimes feel bad for those that join us and feel "left out" because they don't have diabetes but then I smile to myself and know that they are OK with being the minority for 1 week out of the year. I've had people suggest that they join me at this magical place but I have to inform them that they may feel a little left out. haha
So let me tell you about the magic. The friends I have from here are going to be around for a lifetime because you know what? They are in the diabetes love bubble. It was a phrase coined by me during one of my mission moment speeches during a staff meeting. The phrase just came out and it came from a special place in my heart because that's what I feel like camp is to me. My little bubble for one little week but we always come back to the bubble. There is always support when we are going through the ups, the downs and the ignorance of diabetes. 2 more magical stories for you. I was 17 weeks pregnant when I headed up to camp for a weekend of helping with orientation. I couldn't stay because I didn't have enough vacation so I just stayed for the weekend. (like I said this place means A LOT) Well that little miracle growing inside me decided to move for the very first time. I'm not kidding. I was so filled with emotions it still gets me going. The last bit of magic I am going to share with you happened this last year. My husband and I finally got an accepted offer on a house that I didn't even see in person while I was at camp and I love it. The hubby did an amazing job finding a good one for us and thankfully the 4th time was a charm for us.
So screw normal. I'd take my love bubble and everyone in it until my dying breath.
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