Meet Adriana

I was five years old when diagnosed with type 1 diabetes [T1D]. Because I was so young, I do not remember anything about my diagnosis. However, I do remember my elementary and middle school years living with T1D. They were tough. Like most kids at that age, you just want to fit in. Wearing medical devices on my body that made loud noises and being known as the kid always at the school nurse made me a target for bullying. This caused several years of hating the disease and constantly asking myself, "Why me?" I actually ended up in the hospital almost in DKA [diabetic ketoacidosis] because oftentimes, I would just not give insulin until I was alone and had nobody to make comments about it. That hospital visit changed everything, and I walked out a different person. I have now traveled to DC twice to talk to legislators about funding, affordable insulin, and a cure. My first time at the age of 16, I was invited to testify at a congressional hearing and share my testimony in front of members of Congress who can make the changes we need. In June, I returned to DC and had the opportunity to meet with my legislators again. I now run an organization for kids living with T1D across the nation and get to help kids realize that there is nothing wrong with them, the medical devices on their body are COOL because they keep them alive, and that just because they have T1D, does not mean T1D has them. 

The hardest part about living with T1D is definitely the mental burnout you experience. There is always another life-or-death decision to make, medicine to pick up, or an appointment to schedule. I have not had a break from being a human pancreas since I was diagnosed. It has been with me every single day for every single second. 

The ADA has made a huge impact on my life. During COVID, I had the opportunity to be an Imagine Camp counselor with the ADA. Those four weeks of connecting with those kids and being able to bring a smile to their face made me want to stay involved with the ADA. A few summers later, I applied for an internship at the ADA and was surprised to hear there was one available with the camps team! I immediately knew that was where I belonged, and I learned so much that summer. I am now back at the ADA full-time as a camp operations coordinator and get to work with those living with T1D every single day. I am so lucky to work for an organization that has such a huge impact on my community.

People should care about diabetes because more and more people are getting diagnosed every single day. Knowing the signs and symptoms can save a life.

I wish more people understood that diabetes is a lot more than just wearing medical devices on your body. I wish they could see how badly the lows and highs affect us. 

When I was first diagnosed, I wish I knew there were others like me out there. I thought I was the only one living with this. Little did I know! I would tell a newly diagnosed family that the support out there for them is endless. You may have been diagnosed with a really hard disease, but you are not alone. The amount of people ready to support and help you is crazy.

People should support the ADA because I see firsthand how hard we are working to get to a cure! Because of the ADA, I have hope for a future without type 1 diabetes. And until then, I know the ADA is working hard to fund new technologies, medicines, and preventative drugs to help.