A 21 year old girl, a BBA graduate, aspiring to achieve big goals, smart, jovial, confident and above all a ‘JUVENILE DIABETIC’. Yup, that’s me…Miss Pooja Shah.

Now let’s have a flashback…

Pooja (2nd from right)
with her family
at home in India

My diabetes was detected at the age of 2 yr. i.e. in 1985 on the auspicious time of Diwali (Festival of Lights). I was bubbly and chubby but was entangled by various symptoms like drinking lot of water, passing urine, eating a lot, crying, feeling tired and sleepy. Finally I was unconscious and immediately taken to the hospital.

I was in diabetic coma. During 1980s, such cases weren’t very common. Medical team of doctors and nurses had hard time diagnosing me. They carried out varied medical reports, did continuous observation, had long discussions, etc, etc. But in the end, my blood sugar report showed a whooping sugar level of more than 600!! To their utter dismay and shock, they declared that I am ‘DIABETIC’. Mom, dad and all my relatives were awestruck, speechless and very upset. They heard such a word for the first time!

Imagine, handling a 2 yr old baby having diabetes, giving her two times injections, forcing her to eat, doing her blood sugar test, avoiding hyperglycemia (high sugar) and saving from acute emergency of hypoglycemia (low sugar). It’s not an easy job and certainly not a one man’s job. What was required was dedication, a team effort and above all ‘A STRONG WILLPOWER’.

My family accepted this as a challenge which involved risk, sacrifice and an uncertain future. Mom and dad had a strong heart. They put aside all their talents, interests and joyful years and just took care of me. Papa started acquiring knowledge regarding diabetes from doctors, books, camps, journals, etc. While mom practically started implementing it with smile on her face and tears in her heart.

Then few years later, looking at my fragile health, doctors advised mom and dad to go for another child. So, much against their reluctance, after long consultation with doctors, gynecologists and specialists, they went for second child. So, I had a cute little baby sister (Priya Shah).

Everything was normal for few months. Slowly the black clouds were again approaching. Yes, when Priya was hardly seven months old, she also had similar symptoms like me. But this time, papa had a strong doubt and he himself checked her urine. It was like ‘expect the unexpected’. What he feared had become a reality. Yes, she too had four plus urine (i.e. very, very high sugar) and ketone. They took her to the doctor and having done lot of tests, they too, no doubt…had to declare her as ‘A Juvenile Diabetic’ (JD). Doctors said that it was unbelievable. No such case where two daughters have diabetes has ever been detected. And that too, in a family having no diabetes history on both sides for last three generations. That was the first and last time I saw my papa in tears.

So now imagine…two girls, a nine month baby and an 8 yr kid, both having same problems, each had to be given equal importance and care and double work load for mom and dad. They constantly nurtured us and changed their lifestyle to suit our timetable.

I remember…initially when I came to know that I am diabetic, I used to hate it. I used to cry, steal money, buy chocolates, ate from other’s lunch-box, etc. I was feeling handicapped and felt left out. Sometimes I hated my friends when they enjoyed, had fun and frolic in everything and I was told ‘No’ on certain matters. I wanted to be independent and ahead of others. But for this I had to accept diabetes as a life long friend. An unbreakable bond between POOJA and DIABETES had to be created.

Slowly and gradually time went by. Everyday was a new day and a sense of achievement for us. Our parents were like friends. Family members always stood by our side during the times of joys and sorrows.

Then in 1991, papa was posted at London, in UK in his job for four years. There we got lot of impetus from the ‘British Diabetic Association’. We got to see many JDs like us. Doctors said that our method of treatment and way of living were excellent and advised to continue the same. For nearly four years we were brought up in the best manner. School, kindergarten, docs, friend circle and every one were proud of us.

In early 1995, we returned to India, Baroda. Here too, we became members of the ‘Diabetic Association of Baroda’ (DAB). This Association gave us another boost in our life. We attend meetings, picnics, camps, talks, exhibitions etc. conducted by the DAB. It is like a big family of JDs. DAB team is like friends with whom we enjoy. We could know more about ourselves. We learned that ‘Diabetes is just a Disorder and not a Disease’. Diabetes is a silent killer. It can be fair to you only if you are fair to it, i.e. strict diet, dose and daily activity management are to be done.

Today we two sisters take daily three insulin injections, do blood sugar monitoring and keep diet control. Hence, with all modesty I may say that we both sisters have become beautiful human beings. We have come out with flying colours in our academics and other activities. We live each moment to its fullest. My sister and I have always taken each other’s care. We understand the mood swings, the feelings, needs and wants of each other. Though we have pillow fights, but our love for each other has always increased.

My college life has made me a confident person. By God’s grace, I am really proud that a JD like me has achieved lot more than an ordinary child. I completed by Bachelors in Business Administration with flying colors. I am even going to Australia for higher studies, which is a dream come true. 19 years back around Diwali time I was on death bed. Today again around Diwali time, I am flying to Australia. Once more, whole credit goes to my family. I had lot of tension, depressed times, double mind (whether to go or not), fear of rejection in the medical checkup, even some people demoralizing me, etc. etc. Yet the memorable moment was when I had the final visa in my hands. Lot of struggle, turmoil and constant effort was put in for months together.

So friends, this is me, myself and my journey till now. I have learnt important lessons at each phase of my life. Give your 100% in everything. With strong determination and positive attitude, nothing is impossible. I have never allowed my health to become my handicap/excuse. Writing few lines is not enough to express my wonderful 21 years of life and the efforts put by all near and dear ones. JDs like us don’t require ‘Pity’ but ‘Understanding’, ‘Empathy’ not ‘Sympathy’.

I strongly feel that more awareness has to be created about Juvenile Diabetes found in children and their families who silently suffer and smile.

In the end, I bow to God, my parents and thank each and every individual who has been and will be part of my life. Thank you.