Age: 29 Year Diagnosed: 2009 Location: San Diego, Ca
“Diabetes can really suck, but it doesn't have to. Hear me out. We all have this chronic lifelong disease and (at this point) nothing can change that. What we can change however is our outlook. We control our reactions to the crap that life throws at us. One of my favorite quotes from Viktor E. Frankl says this, "When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves." Finding a single positive each day was my first step towards enjoying life again and fighting back against diabetes. The shocking part? I'm at a point now where I'm thankful for my diabetes (not to say I wouldn't trade my life savings for a cure), but having diabetes guided me into my career path as a heath coach for diabetics and it gave me a passion for fitness and nutrition. It showed me how much I thrive on helping other people. And on top of it all, it gave me a community of amazing people all fighting back against this frustrating disease. While diabetes does suck sometimes, I challenge you to look for the diamond in the rough. Find your positives, and learn to thrive with diabetes.”