Age: 22 Year Diagnosed: 2007 Location: Moorpark, Ca
"Once in high school, my blood sugar was really high, like in the 400s and I have already corrected but I had run out of water. I asked the teacher who has always been so supportive and generous about my diabetes that I needed to go to the bathroom and get a new water. He sternly told me no and to sit down. I was so confused because he never questioned me before, but I told him louder than I expected that I was HIGH and needed water. He looked stunned. He was so confused and was like “why would you tell me that?” I said “because I’m diabetic and need water....” he laughed for about a minute gave me $2 and sent me to get a cold water. He thought I had smoked before class and was high on drugs.
I’ve struggled with accepting myself and my disease since I was diagnosed. Well in October of 2017 I was in the hospital dying because of being afraid of showing the world who I really am. For months I hadn’t tested my sugar or even given insulin. I was so sick and it got to the point where no water was ever enough, and I was throwing up blood. When my parents took me to the hospital, they told me that if I hadn’t come in that morning, I would be dead by that night. It’s something that still haunts me and terrified me to this day. But it’s been my motivation to become more involved in the diabetic community and surround myself with people who want to learn and understand my disease. I don’t want anyone to feel as alone as I did. I’ve met some incredible people in my journey to recovery and I feel so blessed at where I am in my life and it’s all thanks to Type 1 Diabetes.
Get involved. You can’t do this alone and this community is the strongest most supportive community I have ever seen. I jumped all in and I had so many hands to guide me through it. I’ve grown closer to those I already know. Have I lost some people along the way? Sure. But it’s showing me who is really here for me and who is going to be there for me in the long run. You must stay true to yourself to survive this disease. You have to embrace it otherwise it’ll take over.