Brenda Jensen: Explaining the life-threatening difficulties of diabetes
On February 10, several people were asked to speak to Modesto High School students. It was interesting listening to other people’s stories of dealing with disabilities, bullying and hardships.
I spoke about being a diabetic for 42 years. The first thing I did was ask the students if they knew anyone with diabetes. Almost everyone raised their hands. I grew up with Type 1 Juvenal onset diabetes, dependent on insulin the entire 42 years. During that time my eyes failed, my bones got brittle and after 31 years my kidneys failed. I explained how diabetes is hard to live with.
In 2006 I was fortunate enough to get a kidney/pancreas transplant. So in September of this year, I will be celebrating my 10-year anniversary of being diabetes free and off dialysis. During that time, due to an accident while hospitalized, I lost my ability to speak. After 12 years of having no voice. I am now the second person in the world to have a larynx transplant; I can now talk!
The students looked at me in amazement. I’ve had a total of nine organs transplanted. I want to thank the organizers of The Day of Respect. It was an honor to teach the students and answer their questions.
Brenda Jensen, Modesto
This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Brenda Jensen: Explaining the life-threatening difficulties of diabetes."