Meet Rosa: Her Journey of Family, Courage, and Living Fully with Type 1 Diabetes

Hello, my name is Rosa, and I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 13.

This year, I realized just how young I was when my oldest daughter reached that same age.

The diagnosis felt like a bucket of cold water because, at that age, you do not truly understand what it means or everything you will have to face. My mother was the one who noticed that something was not right, and she was the first person from whom I heard the word “diabetes.” Thanks to her, the diagnosis was handled in a calmer way. We went to the hospital together to face it. From the very first moment of my diagnosis, I have had the unconditional support of my family, and that has made a tremendous difference in my life.

Living with diabetes means being on duty 24/7, constantly trying to stay in control, and, many times, simply learning how to keep moving forward. Over the years, I came to understand that there are things I cannot control, but I also learned that my daily care and the decisions I make are within my control.

In time, I met a wonderful man who embraced all the ups and downs that come with diabetes, standing by my side through both the good times and the difficult ones. Later, we experienced two pregnancies. The first was a major and difficult challenge because everything was new. Each trimester brought different changes, and just when I felt I understood one stage, another completely different one would begin. The second pregnancy was a little easier because I already knew what to expect and how to respond, understanding that there will always be new stages that require me to adapt and learn again.

When we moved to the United States, I had the opportunity to gain access to a Dexcom and later an insulin pump. These tools have helped me tremendously in achieving a better quality of life. With these technologies, I have greater control and can make better decisions.

Today, diabetes is a normal word in our home. It is not a word associated with fear, but rather a reality that we live with every day. These 27 years have taught me discipline, strength, and the importance of valuing every moment. Diabetes is part of my life, but it does not define who I am.