'It's a shock but not the end of the world'

Dubai - The most important thing to do according to Shurook is to tell people to be open-minded and not isolate or ignore people with diabetes.

Twenty three-year-old Shurook Al Harmoudi was only eight years when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 
Talking about how it affected her as a child, she said: "Not only did it take a toll on my health physically but I faced a lot of social isolation at school and even university.
"When people heard that I was diabetic, they started avoiding me. They thought I had some dangerous disease and even at school my classmates would turn away from me. I had to stop going to school for three months after I got diabetes because I felt unwanted and ignored. It was hard for me. And this was due to lack of awareness in people about this disease."
Shurook was present at the Beat Diabetes walk at Creek Park on Friday as one of the Blue Champions who successfully live their life to the fullest just by changing their lifestyle and overcome challenges by staying positive.
 "My mother noticed that I would very often feel sleepy, wouldn't want to eat, I lost weight and a considerable drop in my energy levels. On getting my blood test - which we got done at least five times as no one could believe the result - it was found that I had type 1 diabetes and it was a big shock for my family as I was the youngest child." 
Emphasising the importance of staying positive and getting good support from one's family during such times, she said: "It is a shock but it is not the end of the world. You can still live and be happy by managing it following a few steps. We need to stay optimistic and you will see improvement. It is only through my family's support that I was able to manage my disease. My mother slept with me every single day for six years, gradually explaining to me what I should do to keep my diabetes under control. I have slowly learnt how to live my life normally."
Sending out a strong message to the parents who have kids with diabetes, she said: "Don't be angry or too strict with the kids because it will emotionally and physically take a toll on them as they see their peers growing up normally, eating normal food and living a normal life. If you take drastic steps, your kids may get rebellious or wallow in to depression."
The most important thing to do according to Shurook is to tell people to be open-minded and not isolate or ignore people with diabetes. "Little bit awareness, open-mindedness and support from the family and society is all you need to beat diabetes. I have taken charge of my situation and have learnt to live life to the fullest by being aware of what I should and should not do
saman@khaleejtimes.com

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