There a variety of supports that are apart of my daily environment and these supports are instrumental in how I function from day to day. Some are an intregal part of my life while others have a small role but may be just as important. The emotional supports include: my family and friends, my co-workers and my faith. My family and friends make themselves available to talk when I need others to listen. They also provide guidance and words of encouragement. My co-workers are supports as they ensure that I am getting my "me time." With such a busy schedule, I am usually travelling and tend to neglect myself because I am taking care of others. My co-workers push me to, as they call it, take a time out. My Faith is a support as it keeps me going and a constant feeling of rejuvenation and a reminder that things will work out in due time. Practical supports include my to-do-list and calendars/schedules. My to-do lists allows me to stay focused on tasks and to prioritize my work and personal life. Calendars/schedules also allow me to remain focused as they keep my daily interactions, meeting and etc within acceptable timeframes. They also help me to stop and be mindful of when to quit something and to move on. Physical support include the computer and a telephone, each piece of technology helps me complete tasks such as: having contact of any form with others, completing work and school functions and helping others. I tend to use both supports to help others if it means trying to find housing, offering advice or hailing a cab.
The benefits of these supports allow me to maintain a strict schedule while maintaing a well-rounded lifestyle. Possessing the abilities to utilize these supports allows me to effectively manage my time between my work and personal life. I believe that without these supports, I would not know what I would do with myself, especially my emotional supports. I think I would feel all alone if I did not have these supports. Pondering the absence of these supports saddens me because it makes me think of those who do not have supports and my empathic side jumps in and my heart cries for these people.
One challenge that may affect me is the disease, diabetes. This disease has plagued both maternal and paternal sides of my family. I have had a grandfather who had both feet and one of his legs amputates and I also have a cousin who recently spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital and eventually had one foot and one leg amputated. In addition to family members with this disease, I also have co-workers and close friends who live with this disease; I have been tested for this disease as well, but do not have this disease. If I was diagnosed, I would continue to want the support of my family and friends and my coworkers to encourage me to eat healthy and exercise. The practical support of calendars to remind me of appointments and when to take medications or check my blood sugar. Also, medical staff as physical support as they assist me in learning to use the equipment to maintain health. Using these supports will help me combat the disease while learning to take care of myself and provide me with the information to educate others on these disease. Without these supports, I would rely on myself for all sources of support and this would be difficult as the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness would flood my brain. I believe that everyone should be allowed some forms of support as we all need someone or something to support us.
