Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life with Diabetes [Paperback]

Lisa Roney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

Now in paperback, this vivid and often beautifully written account of the realities of diabetes (Chicago Tribune) is essential reading for diabetics and their friends and families. Lisa Roney was diagnosed with diabetes just before her twelfth birthday. This is her candid and exquisitely written account of how the disease directly affects the choices she makes every day, in every aspect of her life, from food and exercise to career and family. What sets this apart from other testimonies about living with an illness is Roney's remarkable willingness to reveal the usually hidden emotional consequences of her affliction: erosion of her self-esteem, feelings of vulnerability, the influence on her sexual choices, and heightened awareness of mortality. Full of wisdom, humor, and practical advice, Sweet Invisible Body will be welcomed by diabetics and their friends and families who have never before had a spokesperson as articulate, honest, and insightful as Lisa Roney.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

More than 16 million people in the United States have diabetes. Despite the ability of medicine to control the disease partially, its long-term complications make it the seventh leading cause of death in this country. Diabetics are more likely to suffer from heart disease, strokes, blindness, renal disease, and lower-limb amputations. Roney was diagnosed with diabetes in 1972, just before her 12th birthday, and her life has been indelibly marked by the physical and psychological effects of the disease. Candid, beautifully written, and touching, this exploration of the hidden sequelae of diabetes will spark recognition in anyone who lives with a chronic condition, especially those physical and psychological conditions that are invisible to casual observers. Suitable for the general public and highly recommended for all libraries.AStacey Hathaway-Bell, State Lib. of Louisiana, Baton Rouge
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A poignant, painful life story. Roney was diagnosed with diabetes in 1972, just before she turned 12. Since then, it has turned her life into a balancing act, an ongoing internal reckoning as to ``whether a given interaction is worth the energy, about the timing of every walk, jog, movie, lecture, airline flight, nap, phone conversation, and meal.'' Her story is cold water in the face of the oft-held attitude that diabetes is simply a condition easily handled by medication and a prudent lifestyle. Rather, decades later, Roney has come to wonder whether she has an identity apart from the disease, or are they so inextricably linked that by now she is defined by diabetes? Beginning at her diagnosis, she paints a wrenching portrait of a life lived apart. While appearing outwardly normal, Roney's reality was, and is, that an error in her calculations, a delayed meal or exercise session (often caused by thoughtless friends who couldn't, or wouldnt, understand Roney's situation) could mean insulin reaction, even coma and a very real brush with death. Roney brings home clearly the extent of her loneliness and separateness, needing to be always on the alert for a life-threatening episode of low blood sugar (particularly common in the middle of the night). Several long-term relationships with boyfriends have foundered, and Roney lives, sometimes perilously, alone. The realities of diabetes also altered Roney's career course. ``As I grew up, the official medical word was that I could do anything I wanted to do with my life. Well, except to become an airline pilot, bus driver, or any other kind of employee in control of large equipment.'' A talented visual artist, Roney chose instead to become a writer because of the very real threat of blindness later in life. Courageous, obstinate, poetic, Roney paints us a crystal clear picture here: a devastating portrait of a young life altered by diabetes. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1st edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805056459
• ISBN-13: 978-0805056457
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Insulin-Dependent Sister Tells It Like It Is, January 16, 2000

By 

John T. Dukes (Akron,OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life with Diabetes (Hardcover)

Ms. Roney's beautifully written memoir describes all too accurately what it is like to be at once separate from one's chronic illness and yet aware that separating oneself from the disease is impossible. I found the book's reflections on how diabetes affected every aspect of her life to be right on target, and I identified with much of what she said. I love the prose, too, and have recommended the book to friends, healthy and otherwise!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Accurate Depiction of Life With Type 1 Diabetes, September 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life with Diabetes (Hardcover)

Lisa Roney is astonishingly on-target with her story of life with diabetes. I have had Type 1 diabetes for over 20 years. I can relate to much of what she said in her book. Ms. Roney clearly captures the pain of life with a chronic disease. I think people who are long-term diabetics will get the most from her book. Absolutely terrific!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you thank you thank you!!, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life with Diabetes (Hardcover)

Thank you Lisa Roney for making those of us with type I juvenile diabetes feel like people again instead of a statistic!! I was diagnosed at the age of 13 and after having diabetes for 16 years, I have to say reading this book has made me feel less alone. Never thought I'd ever be able to say that. Your writing and honesty is very real.