(A Paper delivered on Tuesday, 20thAugust, 2024 by Mrs. Jejeola Enitan Talabi at the 4th Annual Ogun Diabetes Youth Camp Meeting of Talabi Diabetes Centre held at the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta)

We all know what diabetes is: it is an incurable life condition; hence it is advisable and encouraging for the people living with the condition to see it as their own unique life style whereby life has decided to give them lemons: what to do with these lemons is now an individual’s decision; the truth of the matter however is that NO ONE DESIRES IT.The best approach to the condition therefore is to decide to make sweet, refreshing lemonade with the lemons: this is to say, turn the undesirable condition into positive and pleasant life experiences.

THE QUESTION IS: HOW DOES ONE LIVE WITH THE CONDITION AND TURN IT AROUND SUCH THAT ONE ENJOYS A FULLFILLED LIFE?

The tips given below are a guide for those diagnosed with the condition in starting a life with diabetes and living with it:

1. Appreciate the fact that each one of us is uniquely created for a specific purpose; therefore know yourself by accepting the reality of your status: by so doing, you will come  to know who you are and what you are created for or to be.Then:

• accept and be glad with who you are—(remember that there are many more life conditions that are, in comparison to diabetes, worse).
• be proud of who you are and love yourself—(if you don’t love yourself; don’t expect others to love you), you have the freedom—(take it) to love who you are unapologetically and with pride; never allow yourself to be ridiculed by people’s comments or criticism of your lifestyle; whenever you encounter such situations, educate the uninformed ones about the condition and the fact that you are as normal as they are only with a life-style different from theirs.
• Believe in yourself and not what someone else says about you.
• Decide to be who you are: at this point, choose what you want to be in life—a success or a failure—- (I am sure, you want to be a success; and you sure will be as no one is created to fail). Remember however that, “as a man thinketh in his heart; so is he”; more importantly know that, a person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses to dwell on—therefore, be a positive thinker; an optimist—(always be hopeful and confident about the future).

1. Having decided to be yourself, begin to plan how you are going to fulfill this goal.

NOTE THAT: FAILING TO PLAN, IS THE BEST AND SUREST PLAN FOR FAILURE.

• seek counsel and guidance from mentors

1. always bear in mind that:

• nothing good comes easy
• hope is neither a STRATEGY; nor is faith a BUSINESS MODEL
• success is never delivered on a platter of gold—-it is attained through:

—Determination

—patience /perseverance

—commitment

—sacrifice: “he, who would accomplish little need sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must as of necessity sacrifice much. He, who would attain highly, must sacrifice greatly”.

—MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMAIN FOCUSED knowing that:

1. it’s not over; until it is over
2. you are not a failure, until you quit or give up

THEREFORE, BE A “JOHNY WALKER”; KEEPING WALKING AND KEEP WORKING!

—chase your passion without complaining about your lifestyle or who you are; rather, do something about it by being pro-active with your self-management regime.

—determine not to do anything half-heartedly.

—remain focused.

HEALTH IS WEALTH:

An Arabian proverb says: “He, who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything”—so my dear ones, you have everything life has to offer; grab them all. Always keep in mind however that:

1. You need to be healthy to achieve your set goals.
2. Success is not a one-time thing; it is an ongoing life-long process from day 1 when the goal was set until the end when one’s life ends.

• Success is not necessarily defined by wealth or social status; bear in mind that the accomplishment or realization of your set goals, makes you a fulfilled successful individual.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY HEALTH?

Is one said to be healthy because he is not “sick” or “ill“?

NO; the World Health Organization (WHO) has come up with an explicit, helpful and easy-to- remember definition of the word; it goes like this:

“HEALTH IS A STATE OF COMPLETE PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING AND NOT MERELY THE ABSENCE OF DISEASE OR INFIRMITY.”

This means that: the fact that you are living with diabetes, which is a form of infirmity, DOES NOTmake you unhealthy for as long as you make sure that you keep yourself in a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

Therefore:

1. watch your mental health; know that problems are unending: thus, be realistic in handling problems; stay relaxed and decide to enjoy every moment of your life.
2. learn to do away with anxiety-—it does not solve problems; rather it compounds them by making one panicky and confused thereby making it difficult if not impossible to find the right solutions to problems

• socialize–reach out to positive-thinking people and make friends with people living with the condition as well as those that do not: remember always that you are a normal unique person who have valuable qualities to share with and offer others; share problems and views: problems shared; are problems solved—-this will help in keeping depression at bay— (depression, if not quickly and effectively managed, most often than not, will lead to psychological conditions and or suicidal thoughts.)

HOW DOES ONE ATTAIN AND REMAIN IN A GOOD STATE OF HEALTH:

Two conditions are basic:

1. be honest with yourself in the application of the customized management plan drawn up for you by your health-giver based on your individual condition and needs.
2. look out for one another; socialize.

LIMITED BY DIABETES?

To be limited means being restricted / hampered or stopped from doing something one wants to do or realizing  a goal or thought  by an external factor or something.

The truth of the matter however is that: the only limitation any one can have in life is himself/herself and nothing else; no external factor can. However, always remember who you are: a unique human being living with diabetes because you have it; diabetes does not have you; hence you have control over it— (look at it this way: You are living with a dog which you own; who takes charge of the relationship between you and the dog? Who sets boundaries in the house? You or the dog? —You of course! —YOUR BODY IS THE HOUSE IN WHICH YOU AND THE DIABETES – (THE DOG) THAT YOU HAVE, LIVE. Therefore, set limits for your diabetes and render it a toothless bulldog; then you will experience and enjoy an accomplished life. Always remember that diabetes will only have a hold on you if you allow it a foothold in your life by not doing what you have been told to do by your health-giver.

It is also helpful and rewarding to see the positive and beneficial side of living with diabetes: see it as a great opportunity to cultivate and live a healthy life and be grateful for it.

Never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to pursue your interests and set goals

Be guided by optimism and belief in yourself to achieve your life goals

CONCLUSION:

Dear Campers, please note that among other things:

1. Talabi Diabetes Centre is set up for success.
2. The establishment of the Annual Camp Meeting is a stunningChapter in the “Story of the Centre”.

• Our joy at the Centre is to see / read about our Campers making strides in their life endeavors.

1. We want our Campers to be Chapters in the Annals of the Centre: therefore, determine to be the next person to write the next great Chapter of an extraordinary story ever told in the Centre’s Annals.
2. Please adopt positive attitude to life; be hopeful always.
3. Be determined and hold on in high spirit until the end: there is no doubt that there will be moments of discouragement—that’s life; life is a learning curve. At such times embrace the change and seek help.

• Giving up is not and will never be a choice for you to make because you are living with diabetes: convince yourself whenever such thought crosses your mind that your set life goals and the successful future you dream of are worth your hanging on.
• Resolutely chase your passion passionately.

1. Have faith; not fear.

IN SUMMARY :— the 3 “Haves”

1. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR CREATOR TO PERFECT ALL THAT CONCERNS YOU.
2. HAVE NO FEAR.

• HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.

I wish each and every one of you a fulfilled and successful life experiences as you purposefully pursue your dreams.