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Hey friends! It’s November, which means it’s Diabetes Awareness Month, and I’m excited to celebrate it with you all by sharing my own story. This Christmas Eve, I’ll be marking my 28th “diaversary” — yep, 28 years since my diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). It’s wild to think I’ve had diabetes for over half of my life! I can barely even remember what my life was like pre-diabetes. It’s been a journey full of ups, downs, a few epic rescues, some truly “sweet” adventures, and a lifetime of unexpected lessons.  

So, grab your favorite snack, maybe a juice box if you’re really feeling the T1D vibe, and let’s dive into my story! 

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Every story has a beginning, so here’s mine. It was Christmas Eve, and I had just turned 12 a couple of weeks prior. I was in sixth grade, feeling as miserable as any kid who should be enjoying holiday break but instead couldn’t seem to shake feeling pretty lousy—constantly thirsty, running to the bathroom a million times a day, and losing weight like crazy. I didn’t know it then, but these are classic symptoms of diabetes.  

On Christmas Eve, while most kids were dreaming of presents, I was lying listlessly in bed, barely conscious. My parents had taken me to the doctor earlier, and I’d been prescribed antibiotics for what we thought was a standard winter bug. But things just kept getting worse, and when my dad checked in on me that evening, he knew something was very wrong. One ambulance ride later, we were at the University of Michigan Children’s Hospital, where I spent the rest of the holiday learning about Type 1 Diabetes. It was a shocker, for sure. Suddenly, life as I knew it was forever changed. 

The early years with T1D were tough. I avoided talking about it with friends, partly because I couldn’t get through a conversation without tearing up and partly because I just hated it. Playing basketball was a challenge because of the constant blood sugar swings, and I quickly became known for carrying glucose tabs and juice boxes everywhere. I hated feeling shaky, dizzy, and out of control. And let’s be honest, I hated feeling “different.” 

Sleepovers and dinner outings? Pure anxiety! Back in the pre-pump days, I was giving myself insulin shots. I couldn’t stand when friends’ parents would say, “I don’t know how you do it. I could never poke myself like that!” It was hard enough without people pointing it out. It’s not like I had a choice! The reality was, I either learned to give myself injections or… well, let’s not go there. The constant comments and awkward questions left me feeling embarrassed, and eventually, I got tired of explaining myself. So, I stopped testing and giving shots as often as I should. 

Then, in 1999, I got my first insulin pump. It was a Medtronic MiniMed 508, and that little device changed the game for me. No more injections, but it also meant this beeping device on my hip drew lots of attention. Teachers thought it was a pager going off in class (this was the ‘90s after all), and one friend’s older sister teased me for wearing it at the beach, asking, “Why’d you bring your pager? You think you’re that cool?” Let me tell you, that was a tough time to be a teen with T1D. 

Heading to college was another huge milestone. I had to learn to manage my diabetes independently, without the close monitoring and support of my mom.  

Of course, I made some rookie mistakes along the way. I once totally miscalculated my supply order and ran out of pump infusion sets. Luckily, I remembered a friend from high school and diabetes camp who also went to Michigan State. A quick message to her, and I was running across campus to her dorm for a few backup infusion sets to hold me over. That’s the thing about the diabetes community—we’re all in this together, and support each other. 

Managing T1D in college wasn’t just about supplies; I also had to navigate social situations that challenged my comfort zone. Drinking was a whole new ballgame. Figuring out that alcohol, when mixed with T1D, is just…well, complicated. I had to learn what worked for me through trial and error, and sometimes that meant midnight trips for snacks to keep my blood sugar up after a night out. It was a balancing act I learned the hard way a few times, but I got the hang of it, carrying glucose tabs and juice boxes like part of the outfit. 

Dating with T1D was nerve-wracking at first. My high school boyfriend was understanding, but when I’d go out with him, I’d disconnect my pump just to avoid talking about it. I’d convinced myself that people wouldn’t want to “deal with” my diabetes. That feeling intensified when a friend’s boyfriend saw my pump infusion site at the pool one day and whispered, “What’s that thing on her stomach?” I was mortified. From then on, every time I went to the beach or pool, I’d pull off my infusion site, determined to avoid more awkward questions. I didn’t want anyone to think I was “sick” or “different,” so I went to ridiculous lengths to hide my T1D, even if it meant sky-high glucose levels. 

By the time I met my now-husband, I realized that the right person wouldn’t care. When I told him about my T1D, he didn’t flinch. In fact, he became my biggest support, carrying juice boxes and reminding me to pack low snacks for hikes. He even helps change my infusion site when it’s hard to reach—now that’s love. 

One of the best parts of my diabetes journey was attending diabetes camp. Going to camp surrounded by other kids who understood what I was going through was a game-changer. It helped me build confidence, feel normal, and learn that I wasn’t alone. I loved it so much that, later on, I returned as a counselor. Giving back to these kids as they navigated their own journeys was so rewarding. Helping them feel empowered with T1D brought me so much joy, and honestly, being a counselor allowed me to grow too. 

The diabetes camp I attended as a camper back in Michigan was called Camp Midicha, and the camp I attended as an adult diabetes counselor (DC) in Arizona is called Camp AZDA. Some of the long-time T1D community members, often called the ‘Betic Army’ branched off and created The Diabetes Network of AZ, in hopes of bringing the magic of camp back into families and communities all year long! I am proud to be aligned with this exceptional organization!  

Click here to read more about daibetes camps and support groups on my blog post!

Plus, it led me to try some seriously cool new things like zip-lining, white-water rafting, and skydiving! Diabetes has never held me back from adventure. Just ask me about the time I got choppered off Superstition Mountain — there’s always a good story waiting! 

Getting married was one of the most beautiful days of my life, and I chose to keep my pump and diabetes gear out of sight on my wedding day (you can read about that here on my wedding dress blog post). I had a custom pocket sewn into my dress, and I skipped the CGM sensor. I checked my blood sugars on my own time, and everything went off without a hitch! It was a day to focus on love and joy — diabetes was present, but it didn’t get center stage. 

And then came pregnancy, which is a whole journey in itself! It could fill a blog post of its own (and someday it will!), but let me just say that navigating pregnancy with T1D was hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  

I suffered two miscarriages before successfully delivering my daughter early at 36 weeks, which made every day of each pregnancy feel precious and high-stakes. I stayed laser-focused and checked my blood sugar non-stop, adjusted my insulin doses like a full-time job, and dialed my A1C in to 5.8 (the lowest it’s ever been in my life) check, even when it felt impossible. 

It paid off with the birth of my two beautiful children, who are everything to me. We faced some challenges, like NICU stays, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The postpartum period brought its own diabetes challenges, too. Adjusting basal rates, breastfeeding, and pumping were exhausting but rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the first time you’re alone with the baby and experience low blood sugar — talk about a panic moment! But I got through it, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. 

These days, I’m living in the present, grateful for every step of this journey. T1D has taught me resilience, compassion, and strength. I’ve accomplished things I never thought possible, and while diabetes isn’t always easy, it’s part of what makes me me. I’ve learned to approach each day with gratitude and hope for the future. 

Looking back on nearly three decades with diabetes, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be who I am without it. Sure, it’s tough. It requires constant attention, planning, and patience (especially on low-sugar days). But it’s also introduced me to the most incredible people and made me feel more empowered. I’ve got a community that feels like family, and every shared story reminds me that I’m not in this alone. 

Today, I manage my T1D with a combo of technology, experience, and a lot of humor. I rock a Omnipod insulin pump and Freestyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which has been a game-changer. My A1C is better than ever, and I feel more in control. But T1D will always keep me on my toes. I’ve learned that the only constant is change, and I’m okay with that. 

As I look forward, I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next. And if you’re wondering how I navigate the big stuff (like life insurance, traveling with T1D,  and the secrect benefit of diabetes), I’ve got some blog posts on that, too! My goal is to help others with T1D live their best lives — to dream BIG and never let diabetes hold them back. 

So, here’s to all the “Betics” out there— let’s keep lifting each other up, pushing each other to take on new adventures, and share our stories to show the world what T1D warriors look like! 

Thank you so much for reading and being a part of my story. If you’ve got a diabetes journey of your own, I’d love to hear about it in the comments! Let’s keep sharing, learning, and celebrating this community that has lifted me up for the past 28 years. Happy Diabetes Awareness Month, friends!