Serena lives in Houston, TX. She finds purpose in helping others find the information they need to live healthy lives.
When I was 20 years old, I hit a point of exhaustion. I thought it was from trying to balance being a student and a full-time employee, but one night I was at home, couldn’t stay awake, and was having pain all over my body. My aunt took me to the emergency room, and it was there that I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
50 Years Living with Diabetes
This year was a huge milestone for me…50 years living with T1D. I was diagnosed in 1967 when I was six years old and in kindergarten. I remember being in the hospital for ten days, not being able to have my three siblings come visit me, and remember the nurses teaching my mom how to give a shot by practicing on an orange. Once discharged, I remember my mom boiling my glass syringes, drawing up beef or pork insulin, and having me leave specimens of urine so she could approximate my blood glucose level. Wow, have times changed!
Fortunately, 50 years later, I’m healthy with very minimal complications from diabetes.
I’ve had lots of highs and lows in my life (literally) but have never let diabetes define who I am. I have a positive outlook, a sense of humor, and am grateful for all I have. Yes, there are days when having diabetes really stinks, but I’m human and allow myself those days. I never forget that things could be worse. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and great friends. I’ve been married for 26 years and have 3 beautiful children...and a much loved dog, Bella. I also have an awesome team of doctors.
Thriving While Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Patrick Swingle is a typical American kid. He enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing rugby, rock climbing and going on backpacking trips. Patrick also has type 1 diabetes. Rather than feel sorry for himself and let his diagnosis hold him back, he is thriving. “Patrick has completely integrated diabetes into who he is. It does not define him, but it is absolutely a part of him,” stated his mother, Vivian.
Being a teenager is hard enough, but throw in being diagnosed with diabetes and you have a special challenge.
Here’s one teen’s personal story from The Type 1 Diabetes Self-Care Manual by Jamie Wood, MD and Anne Peters, MD.
Confidence and Courage
After graduating college, just over two years from being diagnosed, I started working as an investment banking analyst at a major global financial institution. I wanted to prove to myself that I could manage diabetes and succeed in one of the most stressful job environments there is for a college graduate, working long hours, having to meet tough deadlines, and often having to manage ridiculous expectations from bosses.
Perhaps without diabetes, I would have never had the drive and courage to pursue a career like this. And for that I have T1D to thank.
Knowing that I am successfully managing this disease has given me confidence and courage, has increased my-self-esteem, and has also often served as an ego check to remind me that I am human when I feel unstoppable.
—Jose Harari Uziel, 24, lives in Mexico City and works in investment banking
Discover the fascinating history of insulin, from its invention by Dr. Frederick Banting in 1921 to its role in transforming diabetes treatment today.
In the United States, millions of seniors ages 60 and older face a diverse set of challenges on a regular basis when trying to secure and prepare nutritious food, which may include food insecurity. Seniors who are food insecure may experience barriers to accessing food, reduced quality and variety in their diet, and disrupted food intake, all of which can cause and exacerbate mental and physical health issues.
I probably hear that at least five to six times per week in my line of work.
The thought of developing type 2 diabetes is very scary for my patients. It’s very understandable to be afraid of developing something that can affect your health in so many ways.
One of my patients stands out in particular. Ms. Clark (not her real name) told me that her sister was recently diagnosed with diabetes, her aunt died as a result of complications from diabetes and her mother was struggling with needles and injections in addition to failing eyesight due to diabetes.
My daughter Cassidy was 16 months old and still in diapers when we started to suspect that something wasn’t quite right. My husband and I didn’t know what to do or think, but we knew something was wrong.
Cassidy was an early talker, and each morning we found her standing up in her crib telling us “Cassidy thirsty.” She kept drinking and drinking—and she was very hungry, too. She kept wetting through her diapers, clothes and bed sheets.
Deeply concerned, we took her into the pediatrician three weeks in a row. Our regular doctor happened to be on medical leave during this time, so we saw other doctors who weren’t as familiar with her history. At one appointment, she was diagnosed with an ear infection. At others, we came home without any diagnosis. No one asked specifically about her symptoms of increased urine and thirst, and while we thought we were communicating effectively, perhaps we weren’t. As first-time parents with no experience in the medical field, we were quick to chalk it up to our own inexperience.
Emily Nebben from Victoria, Minnesota, is the mother of Carter, age 16. Carter was diagnosed when he was 15 years old. This is Emily's story:
Parents Talking Type One
The summer of 2011 will forever be etched in our family’s memory. We began noticing changes in our 15-year-old son, Carter, in April. He seemed distracted, tired, agitated at times and was having strange health symptoms. His grades began to decline, but he couldn’t seem to explain why.
Jennifer Holdgreve from Centreville, Maryland, is the mother of Allison, age 8. Allison was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was six years old. This is her story:
Parents Talking Type 1
Allison was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on May 1, 2011. We remember it like it was yesterday, but at the same time, it now feels like diabetes has always been a part of our lives.
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