Real Life: Cherise Shockley on Not Drinking
Cherise Shockley was diagnosed with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adult) at the age of 23. When diagnosed, she was a newlywed and her husband was stationed in Iraq. Alone, she turned to the internet in search for answers and understanding. She started Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (DSMA) to bring the people together for a once a twitter week chat about all things diabetes, support, awareness and to help connect the community. Join her and many others every Wednesday at 9:00 pm eastern time under the hashtag #dsma. You can learn more about this and other community efforts at: http://diabetessocmed.com
It’s not for me.
When I was growing up, I saw my mom drink a beer every once in a while. My mom did not keep alcohol in the house, unless she was preparing for an event, like a family barbeque. When I was in high school I never went to parties, I worked a lot. Looking back I believe that working during high school kept me out of a lot of trouble and having a very protective Mother helped keep me on the straight and narrow-no drugs, alcohol or smoking. My mom was strict, but she allowed me to have fun until I would do something stupid-like have a boy in my car when she told me not too.
On my 18th Birthday, I joined the Army Reserve. I left for basic training shortly after I graduated from high school, and after basic training I went to AIT (advanced individual training). In AIT, I had an older battle buddy; she was 30 years old. I will never forget the day we received a pass to go off post, the first thing she did was have a beer. I watched her drink her beer, she smiled, and we went on about our business. Weeks later, we received over night passes. My Drill Sergeant gave us a nice long speech about underage drinking and how it will not be tolerated. We left base, stayed in a hotel and watched a lot of movies. My battle buddy had a few drinks. She asked if I wanted a drink. I told her, I did not. The next day we returned to base, and we had a platoon huddle. My Drill Sergeant was not happy. He had to go to the police station to pick-up a solider from jail; he was drunk and he was under the legal drinking age. The solider received a letter of reprimand and received 90 days of extra duties. I never understand why people allowed themselves to get filthy drunk. I never wanted any drugs to control my body, me or ruin my career.
A few years after the AIT incident, I was a liaison for an R&B singer, his agent and a regional representative for a record label. I made arrangements for us to go to a nightclub to dance and for the R&B singer to meet a few people and fans. I drank my first alcohol beverage, Apple Martini. I’m not going to lie. I had two drinks. Apple Martini’s are the bomb! People I trusted surrounded me. I was in a safe environment. Even though, I only had two drinks, I did not drive home. I crashed on a friends couch. The next morning, I woke up with a slight headache.
The evening with the R&B singer was fun. It will always be an evening I will never forget; it was my first and last time I drank an alcoholic beverage. I will always be a designated driver and the person that will also turn down an alcoholic beverage.
When I was 23, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes did not play apart in my decision not to drink alcohol; it is not for me. Just because, I do not drink, does not mean I do not understand the risk involved. It is okay for people with diabetes to enjoy an alcoholic beverage. Please be smart when you do it and know the risk. Do not drink under the age of 21, do not drink and drive, test often, do not drink alone, inform your friends that you have diabetes and carry glucose just in case your blood glucose levels drop.
Have fun. Be safe. Test.
at 6:32 pm
Great story, Cherise. You clearly have always been wise and responsible beyond your years.
at 2:08 am
My T1 son turned 21 a couple of weeks ago. He drank responsibly that night. We have made it clear that if he EVER needs us we will pick him up and watch over him after a night of drinking with no strings attached. After 16 years of T1 he seems wise beyond his years. The people like you, Cherise, that I’ve met from the D-OC have helped me more than you will ever know.
at 3:22 am
Great take on things–very straightforward and direct. Just what I would expect from you
good stuff!