You're kidding, right?

I've been a Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic for the last 30 years. For the majority of that time I've been tethered to an insulin pump 24x7x365 and checking my blood sugar 5-10 times/day. Still, it always amazes me that people make such a big deal about diabetes. Yes, it's a chronic condition that requires treatment. So what? I honestly can't remember the last time that I thought diabetes had an impact on my life... and the form I have is generally to be the more problematic of the two.

As a diabetic, I have: climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, seen more of Africa in person than you've seen on Wild Kingdom, ridden my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles, had lunch with Chuck Yeager and Olivia de Havilland, spent more time racing motorcycles around racetracks at 100+mph than you've spent reading Cycle World magazine, been a member of a championship winning marching band, learned and forgotten more math than most people ever know, rock climbed routes up to 5.10c in difficulty, TIG-welded my own bicycle frame, and had my passport stamped in countries that no longer exist.

I say these things not to impress you but so you'll know: diabetes is only a limitation if you try to ignore it. Understanding and managing the disease is really pretty simple, though it may take some time to make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. If you follow through with the necessary education and treatment I think you'll find that there's little, if any, impact on your life.