National diabetes writing contest on World Diabetes Day 2005

Over 2.000 children made the School Challenge activities in Taiwan a huge success on World Diabetes Day 2005. One of the activities was a national writing composition contest, where children all over Taiwan were invited to write articles about their experiences with diabetes. The seven winning articles were published in the ’Children’s Daily News’, which is a newspaper for children with over 200.000 daily juvenile readers in Taiwan. The first prizes also consisted of a NT$6.000 scholarship, a certificate and a skateboard. Below you can read one of the winning articles, written by Chia-Yu Yeh, who is a 4. grade student with type 1 diabetes.

My friend – diabetes

Written by Yeh, Chia-Yu, Class 9 Grade 4, Xinyi Elementary School, Taoyuan County

I have a special friend – diabetes. Since I was 5, this friend has had an indissoluble bond with me. I could remember that it was the fourth day of the Chinese New Year that year, and everybody was in great delight to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I discovered suddenly that I had type 1 diabetes due to a serious cold. Since then I had to measure blood sugar and inject insulin every day. And also had to control my diet and have an appropriate amount of exercise.

This news came as a thunderbolt to me. I don’t know why a ‘chronic disease’ that could never be cured completely could happen to me as a child? Why couldn’t I eat whatever I wanted like other people? I was really hurt and grieved.

However, I knew I must accept the fact, and also face it bravely.

Thick and thin always come together in this world, who knows if it will be fortune or disaster? My family often ate fast food and junk food before. Since I became ill, my family has started to contact and understand more about health and diet knowledge, and even changed our diet habits. The whole family got something good out of misfortune, and we eat healthily and naturally.
Symptoms of diabetes are eating, drinking much and urinating a lot. Therefore, the diet should have less oil, less salt, less sugar, and balanced nutrition. If I can exercise within one hour after a meal, then my blood sugar will be more stable and my body will also feel more comfortable. If I eat something that I should not eat, my blood sugar will be too high even if the blood monitor cannot measure it. I will have a stomach-ache at this time, and I will want to have a lethargic sleep. After a while I will feel hungry, this makes me feel miserable and gives me great pressure.

I feel that diabetes is like my close friend. If I respect it, it will treat me well; if I neglect it, it will treat me ill. The only things I can do are to control my diet, have regular exercise and take medication, so my blood sugar will become stable. Then other complications will not happen, and people who care about me do not need to worry about me. I hope people who have diabetes can face their friend – diabetes more bravely.