If you don't have diabetes, or have never known anyone who struggles with the disease, it would be quite a shock to suddenly face that diagnosis.
It certainly was for special guest, Laura Kronen.
Laura's symptoms started in college, but they weren't necessarily the typical symptoms that a Type-I diabetic would expect. For instance, her lips, tongue and chin all went numb at times.
After graduation, on the very first day of her new job, she received a call from her doctor saying her blood sugar levels were off the charts and that she should get her blood tested again right away.
At first she didn't believe it (and neither did her doctor), because, again, she didn't have any of the typical symptoms.
When she came to the realization that she did, in fact, have diabetes, she initially felt alone and without answers.
Since then, and after countless injections and finger-pricks, she's learned a great deal.
For instance, Laura believes that laughter truly is the best medicine. You can sit around feeling bad and sorry for yourself, or you can use the disease to empower yourself with the mantra, "If I can handle this, I can handle anything."
Dealing with the disease will help teach you discipline, determination and perseverance, which will carry over into all areas of your life -- not just in relation to your diabetes.
Yes, there are a lot of negative aspects surrounding diabetes, both physically and mentally/emotionally. But the human condition lends itself to a humorous filter, and if you can weed out the doom and gloom, and focus on positive things, you can have a whole different outlook.
Of course, there are some technical things to consider as well when managing diabetes. You need to know how to count carbohydrates, you need to constantly keep track of what you're eating (and how it affects you), and you need to know how much insulin or medication you need to take to match what you're eating.
Testing your blood sugar multiple times a day is also essential. This will prevent you from swinging too high or too low on the blood sugar scale. Keeping your blood sugar in check will help you avoid the extreme complications of diabetes, including hospitalization and even death.
Type-I diabetics are often healthier than Type-II diabetics for this very reason; they've learned from a very young age that keeping on top of blood sugar levels is absolutely of utmost importance. Type-II diabetics may not initially realize this importance.
Tune in as Laura joins Lisa to share more about her experience with Type-I diabetes, as well as how you can manage, live, laugh and thrive, despite your condition.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014 11:22
Living & Thriving with Type-I Diabetes
It would be quite a shock to suddenly face a diabetes diagnosis. Does it mean your life, as you know it, is over?
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 3
- Audio File: naturally_savvy/1438ns3c.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Laura Kronen, author
- Book Title: Too Sweet: The Not So Serious Side to Diabetes
- Guest Website: Be You Only Better
- Guest Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/beyouonlybetter?ref=ts
- Guest Twitter Account: @beyouonlybetter
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Guest Bio:
Laura Kronen has accomplished many things in a 23-year career that was nationally recognized by Inc. Magazine when it featured her as a top entrepreneur of the year. But she’s most proud of something that others go to great lengths to hide or downplay – she’s a diabetic who has learned to thrive both in spite of and because of her chronic condition.
It’s no surprise that Laura has a positive, even empowering attitude. She has served as the CEO of Be You Only Better, a transformational life coaching company she established six years ago. She provides motivational, entrepreneurial, health and wellness, and relationship coaching. Her life coaching techniques have literally changed people’s lives and enabled them to live up to their truest potential, giving them the necessary tools to achieve their dreams.
Laura is the author of a new book, Too Sweet: The Not-So-Serious Side to Diabetes. As a Type 1 diabetic, Laura is active with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and helps others find strength in overcoming the challenges of living with a disease that now afflicts 29 million Americans.
Her Be You Only Better blog features daily self-help articles on a variety of useful topics, from building self-confidence to facing fears. She also provides top reviews of fitness, beauty, and skincare products and services from all over the world.
Laura is certified in Advanced Transformational Leadership and is a Master Results Coach, Master Practitioner of NLP and Master Hypnotist in Ericksonian Hypnosis. She received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Rhode Island.
Before making the rewarding transition as a life coach, Kronen introduced a number of innovative products to the marketplace. A visionary, Kronen created Belly Ups, which holds women’s low-rise pants and leggings up during pregnancy. Earlier in her career, after more than a decade of working at the director level in the glittering world of fashion and luxury goods public relations, Kronen developed, directed, and produced the multi award-winning Baby Road Trip video series.
Originally from New York City, she resides with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. -
Transcription:
- Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: Yes
- Internal Notes: repeat guest
- Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN and Lisa Davis, MPH
Published in
Naturally Savvy
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