Living Life with Diabetes

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four, John Keeler′s life has been marked by a determination to make it as fulfilling and rich as possible. In this honest and heart–warming book he describes his journey from childhood to adulthood; from that initial diagnosis, through dealing with pain, fear and ignorance, to his situation today, where he feels in control of his diabetes – it no longer controls him! At times humorous, at other times raw and blunt, John Keeler highlights the feelings, experiences and the (often overlooked) practical difficulties that people with diabetes often face. Here you will find advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls, honest descriptions of the emotions you may feel, as well reassurance and support. This book is aimed at fellow sufferers, but also their families, friends, and health care providers, who wish to learn more about how you can live life fully with diabetes.

About the author. Foreword. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. He couldn’t want so much water. 2. Why me? 3. When did you last hear an orange say ‘Ouch!’? 4. You ‘should’ be doing better. 5. Eight square meals a day. 6. You could be worse off ! 7. Famine to a feast. 8. Steering my own ship. 9. That!! 10. Living on my own. 11. But this is the hand I shoot with . . . . 12. Egg–sized potatoes and a cupful of crisps. 13. Nobody told the bumblebee . . . . 14. Everything’s alright . . . . 15. Parting shots. Appendix: painting by numbers. Glossary. Index.

Born in Dublin in 1970, John Keeler was diagnosed with diabetes on 15 May 1975. He went to the BDA’s (British Diabetes Association, now Diabetes UK) Youth Diabetic Weekend in 1996, and since then he became more involved with people with diabetes. He has facilitated many small groups both in Ireland and England, has been involved in the setting up of Ireland’s young person’s groups, counselled people with the condition, and has been a voluntary leader on many children’s and teenager’s diabetic camps. John edited Identity (the magazine of the DFI [Diabetes Federation of Ireland]), now called Diabetes Ireland, from 2000 to 2001, and in 2001 he had an article published about his exploits at the European Masters Swimming Championships that year in Majorca, Spain, where he competed, published in Diabetes Voice, the magazine of the International Diabetes Federation (which is published in English, French and Spanish), where he competed. In addition, he was a member of the record–breaking ‘Four Peaks Challenge’ team in 1997, has competed at the Irish judo championships, as well as many international club swim meets/galas. John has, at various times, played soccer, Gaelic football, judo, qualified as a lifeguard, taught children how to swim, completed a distance–learning course in social sciences, gained a qualification in counselling, and plans to go into counselling/psychology professionally, to work especially with people with diabetes.

“…honest and heart–warming…” (Diabetes Federation of Ireland Magazine, March 2004) “…packed with humorous and painful anecdotes…a useful resources for diabetics, their families and friends…” (Sunderland Echo, 21 April 2004) “...a valuable tale about one man’s determination to accept and overcome the problems associated with the disease...” (Accident & Emergency Nursing, No.13, 2005)