Age: 23 Year Diagnosed: 2002 Location: Tempe, Az
“I've lived with Type 1 for almost 18 years, so you'd think that coming up with a story centering life with diabetes would be easy, but honestly I struggled a little bit. I think I have my parents to thank for that. I was diagnosed with T1D two days before I turned 6, so I was still in the hospital on my birthday. I don't know what kind of planning and rearranging happened behind the scenes, but as far as 6-year-old me could tell, life went on as normal. I had my birthday party a few days after I was released from the hospital--I had a cookie cake and got a new bike and all my friends were there. I'm sure my parents were holding their breath and calculating every moment of that day, but all I remember is having my hair braided by my sister and wearing my new birthday outfit. Sure, my childhood memories are scattered with a lot of poking and prodding, and I learned what a carbohydrate was at an alarmingly young age; but, I also remember that my parents were there every step of the way. They shouldered (and continue to shoulder) so much of the burden of living with T1 so that I didn't have to. They would probably say no thanks necessary, but I want them (and the whole stinkin' world) to know they have given me so much to be grateful for.
I guess long story short: my parents are my heroes and I truly believe parents of T1s are the closest thing we have to angels on earth.”