Julie, 19 – Diabetes
I was a nineteen-year-old college leaver looking forward to my first job when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. What was hardest for me was not getting used to testing my sugar levels or taking insulin injections but having to cope with my family’s reaction to complete non-acceptance. They made me feel that I had no future and was unlikely to get married due to the stigma of my condition. As a result, I fell into a deep depression and felt that my life was no longer worth living. I self-referred to Bikur Cholim’s emotional health service desperately seeking support. I was referred for therapy and through this, I came to terms with my diagnosis and learnt to shift my thoughts and successfully lifted myself out of my depression.
In addition, I was encouraged by my therapist to join Sweet Circles, Bikur Cholim’s peer Support group for young adults with diabetes. There I have made new friends who are in the same situation, enhancing my social life. I have also been able to take up a job as a successful teacher’s assistant. In my recent thank you letter to Bikur Cholim, I wrote: “thank you for giving me back my life”.