I am the proud father of little girl with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). My wife and I have always preached to our daughter that she can do and/or be whatever she chooses to be despite having this condition (some refer to this as a disease, I refer to this as a condition). We have told her for years and continue to reinforce that she can do anything any other child can do as long as she manages her blood glucose levels. It is a constant and on-going discussion because she is constantly reminded by others that she has restrictions. “You shouldn’t eat that because you have diabetes.” “Are you able to participate in that activity with your condition?” “Wait until you get home to eat that cupcake so your parents can give you insulin” (and watch the other kids enjoy theirs).  I have little patience for this because of the amount of resources available today, people can very easily educate themselves on just about anything if they are willing to learn.

Fast forward a few years and guess who now has a permanent life changing condition that they have to deal with, ME!  Much like my daughter, there is no cure for what I have, a below knee amputation (BK). They are not going to develop anything in my lifetime that would enable my leg and foot to grow back. I am hopeful that in my daughter’s lifetime they will have a cure for her condition but for now, we have some ways to go. Therefore, I am now in the unique position of getting to practice what I have been preaching for years now.

Children are very observant and I know my daughter is watching how I am conducting myself and dealing with my limb loss. Do I display a defeatist attitude? Am I allowing my limb loss to limit me? Am I sulking and mad at the world for having to deal with this? I am very cognizant of the fact that I have to conduct myself in a certain way for not only my short and long-term wellbeing, but for hers as well. In many ways this has brought us closer because we are both now adaptive individuals going through this life together.  She has seen me at my lowest and weakest point and witnessed me break down on several occasions. Each time, along with my wife, she has been there to give me a hug and to say it will be okay, the same way we held her years ago when she was first diagnosed and whispered in her ear, “sweetheart, it will be okay.” She practiced what we preached. It’s time for me to do the same.