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Magazine
Living with diabetes
RAVI BASKARAN
It began in 1955 when I was just 16. I started experiencing symptoms I had never had before. I was constantly thirsty and drank water every now and then. I felt the need to urinate frequently and started losing so much weight that my worried parents
rushed to the family doctor.
The first urine and blood tests revealed I was a,juvenile diabetic. An examination by a specialist confirmed this.
More than 48 years have passed and diabetes has become a part of my life; something I cope with on a daily basis by taking two insulin injections every day as well as managing my diet, with exercise and activity thrown in.
How did I cope? I have never forgetten the advice given by the diabetologist, who first examined and counselled me. He emphasised that what I had, was a “deficiency” and not a “disease”.
“Your pancreas,” he said, “is not performing its function of producing insulin. So you have to externally inject it into your body. We doctors can only test you, advise and guide you; we cannot be with you every day. Your life is in your hands and if you follow our advice, be disciplined as far as medication and diet are concerned, you can live a normal life and be as healthy, if not healthier, than a non-diabetic.”
I have led an active and normal life for over 48 years now. Despite being a diabetic, I represented Loyola College, Law College and the University of Madras in cricket. I also represented various clubs in the Tamil Nadu Cricket League for over 20 years.
My career in Sales/Marketing, involved a lot of travelling. I have been happily married for nearly 30 years and have three children. I am still working full-time at the age of 64 as a marketing consultant.
My advice to young diabetic individuals is:
Accept the condition as a “deficiency” not a “disease”; understand that it can be controlled but not cured.
Act as normal as possible and don’t draw attention to yourself as one who is sick.
Keep abreast of the latest research and advances in diet and treatment.
Lead an active life with regular exercise. Follow your diet.
In conclusion, one can learn to accept and live with diabetes. I can now truly say that mine is not just an ‘affair’ with diabetes but I am truly ‘married’ to it.
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