Sharing My Story: Niketa

Niketa lives a busy life as an actress, acting coach and producer, but she still finds time to stay involved with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and advocate for the diabetes community. This is her story:

I've been living with type 1 diabetes for 7,785 days, given myself 43,060 fingerprints and have changed my pump 650 times since being diagnosed in 1999.

All I previously knew about diabetes was Julia Roberts dying from childbirth in Steel Magnolias. I wasn't even on the right medication until grad school in New York some five years later.

It wasn't until 2011 that I met another person living with type 1 diabetes at the ADA’s Call to Congress advocacy event. I've been active ever since—that event changed my life.

Ever since then I have been an active advocate for the ADA as a project ambassador, speakers bureau, Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes, Victory Over Diabetes and ID day to name a few. I’ve spoken at local press conferences, podcast interviews and Congress at Home meetings.

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Now I am entering my third trimester of pregnancy, which is a challenge and miracle in itself. It’s just a testimony that you can do anything you want to do despite living with a deadly condition.

I have two diabetes-related complications and have many highs and lows with my management, but I’m learning every day to continue to take control of my diabetes and not let it take control of my mind, body and spirit.

Do you have a story to tell about your experience with diabetes? Share it with us here.