Sharing My Story: Julie

Julie Paradis was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age 28. Though she has encountered some challenges, including navigating pregnancy, she chooses to focus on the positive.

Just when you think you've got things figured out, life throws a curveball! In May 2017, I was 28, living in NYC, and recently married... when all of a sudden, those textbook symptoms hit and - BAM! - I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. To be diagnosed so late in life was an interesting balance of emotions. On one hand, life as I knew it was completely changed (a life I had gotten very comfortable with!). On the other hand, I couldn't help but be thankful to have navigated most of my existence without the disease—childhood, college, and my adult life thus far. A T1D diagnosis at any age makes you stronger, more in-tune with your body, and forever prepared for anything and everything!

For me, the biggest challenge that I encountered post-diagnosis was getting pregnant. Not only is T1D a complicated thing to navigate, but mixing in pregnancy became an entirely new obstacle! I had to block out the scary stories that I had seen/read about T1D and pregnancy, and instead just put some blinders on and charge forward with the tools and tips I'd been given by my health care team. With a little practice, patience, and diligence, I was lucky to welcome a healthy little girl into the world almost exact two years to the day after my diagnosis. We just recently celebrated her first birthday plus my 3-year diagnosis anniversary in the same week!

T1D is a challenge, but not an impossible one. I am thankful to live in a world where education, technology, and medicine has advanced so that I can experience life (especially motherhood) as any normal person can.

My advice to future T1D moms out there... you CAN do this! The road might be a little tougher than normal, but it's worth every step.

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