12 Days, that’s how long it took me to come to terms with my diabetes, and it wasn’t family, friends, or even myself that got me there. It was with the help of a small Netflix Original that got me to where I needed to be.

When a doctor tells you “you’re type one diabetic”, what do you even say? I personally was speechless, trying to muster as much strength as I could and stay as positive as I could. However, when I got my diagnosis on July. 17/2016, I was anything but alright. On the inside at least, I was devastated. Like I know that it’s super easy to manage, and I was still me, but having someone basically hand you a weight that you are going to carry for the rest of your life can be crushing.

So I was admitted, three nights in hospital, a few doctors and a brief stint in my Great Aunt’s apartment made up the coming week. And it was from these hospital sheets that I actually started to find a little bit of solace, a bit of solace found within my computer screen. The show was called “Stranger Things”, and it was a callback to all my favourite movies. The childish charm of “The Goonies”, the synthy goodness of “Blade Runner”, and the nostalgic horror of John Carpenter’s “The Thing”. It was all there.

This story of a missing boy, a government experiment, and a deeply disturbing monster enamored me. I sat from my hospital bed watching intently, fascinated by what every story beat would mean for the characters of the show. The main group of boys and their mysterious new friend named ‘Eleven’ had specifically peaked my interest. When things looked bleaker and bleaker the devotion these kids had for each other only deepened. With each passing episode I became more and more a fan.

And as the eight episode arc started to come to a close I began to realize this was much more than just entertainment, it was actually helping me. As these kids came closer and closer to retrieving their lost friend, and doing away with the beast, terrorizing their small Indiana town; I actually came closer to accepting the circumstances of which I found myself in.

And it was today, July.29/2016, after finally finishing the last episode and seeing the story to it’s “assumed” conclusion, that I finally have come to terms with it. For me it was (Spoilers!) as these boys finally did away with their burden, having the mysterious “Eleven” give up her life to save theirs, that I came to accept mine.

I know it sounds cheesy, but who doesn’t love cheese? “Stranger Things” was my counselor in a time when I had hundreds. When I could have turned to anyone I turned to a few boys just trying to save their best friend. When I had everyone on my side, I only really needed to look to four people Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Eleven.

Thank you “Stranger Things”

Klein Felt, A Type One Diabetic