Two years ago my world changed when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The experience was terrifying, but the support from the hospital nurses that I still keep in touch with, the friends who visited me in the hospital, and the family who never left my side, reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
It wasn't until I left the hospital that I felt the weight of having to manage this disease on my own. Knowing that there was no room for mistakes was extremely overwhelming. My family continued to show up for me. For example, during school lunches, I would text my dad a picture of my plate, and within minutes he would reply with how many units of insulin to take. That simple daily ritual eased the constant pressure I felt and reminded me that I didn’t have to carry this alone.
The T1D community has become like a second family to me. When I was first diagnosed, connecting with other kids and families made the experience less overwhelming and isolating. I remember being extremely nervous to go back to school after my diagnosis, but the two other kids at my school with T1D went out of their way to help, calculating carbs, giving me injections, and even bringing a juice box all the way to the fourth floor. I was amazed by their kindness, but I quickly realized that actions like these are routine in this community. Just seeing a stranger in public wearing a diabetic device sparks an unspoken bond. I've been approached by other diabetics who notice my devices and it brightens my day. Whether we share links to good over-patches or just rant about the disease, some of the best advice I've received has come from strangers. This support and encouragement inspire me to give back to this community.
It wasn't until I left the hospital that I felt the weight of having to manage this disease on my own. Knowing that there was no room for mistakes was extremely overwhelming. My family continued to show up for me. For example, during school lunches, I would text my dad a picture of my plate, and within minutes he would reply with how many units of insulin to take. That simple daily ritual eased the constant pressure I felt and reminded me that I didn’t have to carry this alone.
The T1D community has become like a second family to me. When I was first diagnosed, connecting with other kids and families made the experience less overwhelming and isolating. I remember being extremely nervous to go back to school after my diagnosis, but the two other kids at my school with T1D went out of their way to help, calculating carbs, giving me injections, and even bringing a juice box all the way to the fourth floor. I was amazed by their kindness, but I quickly realized that actions like these are routine in this community. Just seeing a stranger in public wearing a diabetic device sparks an unspoken bond. I've been approached by other diabetics who notice my devices and it brightens my day. Whether we share links to good over-patches or just rant about the disease, some of the best advice I've received has come from strangers. This support and encouragement inspire me to give back to this community.