My Story


Diabetes has had a positive impact on my life – Sonik Porwal

I still remember distinctly THE DAY seven years back. I was forced to go in for a Full Medical Checkup by my employer of the day – Microsoft India. Being of slight frame and frugal eating habits, I expected nothing but perfect results and after a, what I called that time, half a day of waste of time, was back to the grind in my office.

And then around 3 PM I got the call from the hospital asking me to come back. News that was given to me was, “You have been diagnosed with Diabetes!!! Your Sugar levels are very high, you need to come and meet a Doctor”. For me it was almost being as though I was pronounced DOA. No family history of Diabetes and of a lean disposition, this was the last thing I expected. I associated Diabetes with Obesity and heredity. Another shock in store was being told to start Insulin as my levels were very high. Isn’t Insulin the last resort before you kick the bucket?.

As usual we got a lot of free advice from friends and family. No eating of sugar and rice and a strict no to alcohol. A lot of alternate therapies were suggested including Tibetan, homeopathic and domestic remedies. I was suggested to drink juice of bitter gourd in the morning or Methidana powder. I was asked to slow down work pace and even suggested to quit an MNC job and take an easy role.

Since none of this sounded credible, my quest for information took me online and I read a lot about Diabetes and the Diabetics across the world. Some lessons I learnt were

  • It is not the end of the world.
  • Diabetes is not curable
  • It requires management and key to the management is Healthy Diet, Exercise and regular Medication.
  • All things done the right way, a Diabetic and his/her family can live a very healthy life.

There are more than enough examples of Diabetics leading an active sports or media or public careers.

Now I manage a regimen of timely and healthy diet, regular mix of exercise and yoga and follow my doctor’s medication regularly.

In the last seven years, my weight has moved in a tight band of 2 KG variance. I feel much healthier then I was 7 years back and much more aware of the physical and metaphysical aspect of existence. Hard work need not mean irregular habits and dedication to work need not be at the lost of one’s own existence and families.

Diabetes helped me recalibrate my preferences and priorities.
All in all, I would say Diabetes has had a positive impact on my life...

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