Part 1 of the “What Does It All Mean?” series, a real-life reflection on living with Type 1 Diabetes, written by Dennis Goldensohn, who has lived with T1D for nearly 60 years.
By Dennis Goldensohn: T1D for nearly 60 years, advocate, and mentor
The Reality of Everyday Challenges
In our lifetimes, we often face a lot of challenges. Some are temporary, and others are for a lifetime. These that we face each day are the ones that we must either come to grips with or struggle with. Yet, we strive to make the best of it and hope that things will be better the next day. That is a challenge that people with diabetes face each day!
Diabetes Is a 24/7 Responsibility
Diabetes is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week challenge. Diabetes affects both young and old, men and women, and each of those who deal with diabetes has their own unique challenges. These can be low-hypoglycemic situations and high-hyperglycemia situations. Either one can place a person who has diabetes in harm’s way. These situations may happen at the most inconvenient times. But these must be dealt with immediately.
The Complexity of Daily Management
Meal Planning and Insulin Balance
Meal planning, counting carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, goes into preparing meals when you have diabetes. The amount of insulin that is needed to manage these nutrients is critical. Whether you are on an insulin pump (AID, automated insulin delivery) or taking insulin shots (MID, manual insulin delivery), the amount of insulin needed is critical.
The Financial Burden of Diabetes
The cost of managing diabetes is quite expensive, and insurance deductibles are quite high. If someone does not have insurance or public assistance, affording insulin and the related supplies puts people with diabetes in harm’s way. Too often, there are cases where people cannot successfully manage their diabetes due to these issues. Do I pay the rent, or do I buy insulin and diabetes supplies?
Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels
Managing one’s diabetes is critical. Many do this by using a glucometer or a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor). Measurement of one’s glucose level is important because it tells them what the current blood glucose level is and if they could be going into hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic reactions. It is then critical that people who have diabetes know their blood glucose levels all day, every day!
The Unpredictability of Diabetes
The burden of having to deal with diabetes daily also includes making sure you get enough exercise, changing out pump hardware, filling pumps with insulin, changing out CGMs when their session ends, and dealing with daily challenges that have no clear reason why they happened in the first place. You could have done everything the same as you did the day before, and yet your blood glucose levels are different. Then we ask why!
The Hidden Challenge: Diabetes Stigma
People with diabetes also deal with diabetes stigma. This psychologically and mentally puts enormous stressors on those who have diabetes.
There are “food detectives” who ask you, “Are you supposed to eat that?” Then there are those who place the blame for someone having diabetes on that person. They would say it is your fault because you did not take care of yourself. This is a myth, and this is far from the truth.
Due to these statements, many who have diabetes hide that they have diabetes, do not want anyone to see the CGM on their arm, and feel that they are not normal. So, I ask, what is normal?
Diabetes in the Workplace
Stigma also has an effect in the workplace. When applying for a job, the applicant who has diabetes may not want the potential employer to know that they have this condition. They feel that this is a strike against them before the interview even starts.
The employer may assume that this condition will prevent the applicant from performing their job responsibilities. And as many of us know, this is far from the truth.
Family, Life, and Misconceptions
Those who have diabetes might also feel that having a family is not possible. Women may feel they cannot go full term in pregnancy or may face complications when giving birth.
This is a frightening thought, but it is far from reality. People with diabetes can have families and be immensely proud of their children. This is a tremendous achievement, and there is no reason it cannot be achieved.
Yes, You Can Live a Full Life with Diabetes
I am writing this because even though all these responsibilities are challenging, one can, without a doubt, tackle and manage all these challenges with satisfying outcomes.
With a little help, guidance, and support, people who have diabetes are productive, responsible, and simply want a chance to achieve their lifetime goals.
What a concept!
So, What Does It All Mean?
So, what does this all mean?
I am one of those people who has diabetes, and I have had diabetes for 58 years. I am enormously proud to have had a successful career, a loving family, and meaningful friendships, and at no time did I feel I was a burden to society.
When I was diagnosed at 16 years of age, I said: Yes, I can do anything. And I have.
I have not had any of the complications associated with diabetes. This has been my North Star, and I would not have it any other way.
And That Is What It All Means!
What Is This Series?
At Diapoint, we believe that the most powerful education comes from real people and real lives lived with diabetes.
That’s why we’re proud to introduce a new blog series by Dennis Goldensohn.
Dennis has been living with Type 1 Diabetes for nearly six decades, diagnosed at just 16 years old, and now approaching 59 years of life with T1D, without complications. His journey is not only a testament to resilience but also to what is possible with the right mindset and support.
Beyond his personal experience, Dennis brings a lifetime of dedication to service and advocacy. He spent 45 years working in aerospace manufacturing, while also volunteering with organizations such as JDF, JDRF, Breakthrough T1D, DPAC, and the Diabetes Research Institute. Today, he continues to mentor young people navigating their futures, while sharing his lived experience with diabetes to support others.
His series, “What Does It All Mean?”, is exactly what it sounds like: a reflection on life with diabetes, beyond the numbers, beyond the devices, and beyond the daily routines.
Through this series, Dennis explores:
- The realities of living with diabetes every single day,
- The misconceptions and stigma people face,
- The history and progress of diabetes care,
- The power of community, advocacy, and teamwork,
- And ultimately, what it truly means to live a full, successful life with diabetes.
This is not just education. This is perspective and lived experience.
And above all, this is reassurance that yes, you can.
