My name is Terry and I was diagnosed with diabetes at 22 years old. My life changed a lot. I couldn't do things that I use to do, like play basketball, stay out late, and eat the foods I liked anymore. Slowly my vision started to fade, walking became more and more difficult, and sometimes I couldn't even do my music. For the next 5 years I was in and out of the hospital, with visits becoming a daily thing. Depression was taking over, while I felt my body rotting away. Bedsores developed over my body. I really felt that I was dying. It was a horrible experience. I asked myself "why is this happening to me?" I knew I needed some help but I didn't know what to do. All I could do was pray. Then during a visit to the hospital, Ben, a nurse, came to my room and asked me if I wanted to live or die. I said "Yes, I want to live." Ben told me to just hold on and we can get through it.

Ben helped get people to notice that I needed help. Next thing I knew, I left the hospital to see a psychologist for some testing. Then, once I was discharged from the hospital I didn't go home. I went to a long term care facility in San Luis Obispo called Bella Vista. Ben told me that I needed more intensive wound care. While at Bella Vista Ben visited all the time, and so did his nursing students and Daphne another nursing teacher. From Bella Vista Ben helped me with going to my court hearing for social security. Between him and my lawyer the court finally heard my case after trying three other times. When I finally left Bella Vista my wounds had improved a lot and Ben helped set up homecare, eye care with surgery, and doctors appointments made for diabetic management. I got more involved with the nursing program working with his students. I even got to go to the nurses' graduation.

It's been just over a year since I started working with Ben. My wounds are almost completely healed, my depression is gone, I'm not broke, I can walk without a walker, and I can do my music. I understand diabetes more now and how to use the medications. The best part has to be seeing my mom be so much happier. If I can tell anyone who might be feeling like I did; I would say basically "have faith, stay strong and put God first. Keep praying and something good will come."