Читать книгу 1,000 Years of Diabetes Wisdom - David G. Marrero - Страница 15

by Cathy Mullooly, clinical exercise physiologist, Boston, MA

For years, I have spent thousands of hours supervising exercise sessions as part of our diabetes services and curriculum. I have seen many amazing transformations and outcomes during this time, but one five-second snapshot of time sticks out in my mind.

One day I was waiting for the members of the exercise class to begin arriving. When the door opened, I saw one of our male members, who was blind, pushing the wheelchair of a female member with multiple sclerosis. There was also another female member with them, also blind, holding onto the man’s arm for guidance. This put a whole new twist on the phrase “the blind leading the blind.” I did not know whether to laugh or cry at this touching scene. I marveled at how they were able to use each other’s strengths to allow the group to succeed at the task at hand. Many people in their situation would have chosen to just stay at home and accept their fate, but not these three. They knew what they had to do and were finding ways to do it.

Over the years, I have often reflected on this snapshot in my personal life and in my patient interactions. I have learned not to underestimate what people can accomplish. I have learned to help people identify their strengths and when to look for support to overcome their weaknesses. I have also learned that the things we do as diabetes educators—and take for granted as just a part of our workday—mean the world to the people we have the privilege to teach and touch.