Meet Maria

I was first diagnosed with gestational diabetes in June 1996. I had to take insulin shots with a sliding scale three times per day (vial and needle) for two weeks. Once I had my son on June 23, 1996, there was no more diabetes!

I began participating in Step Out® Walk in Philadelphia in 2008 to support my mother and father, as well as my in-laws. I continued participating in the walk and was asked to join the committee for planning the walk. I was appointed chairperson of the Red Striders® committee (people who have diabetes and participate in the walk). In October 2013, I was chairperson of the walk and two weeks later was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic. I thought my world was ending. Although my parents and husband were diagnosed, none of them were insulin dependent. I didn't know what that meant. I hated needles, and now I had to give myself needles every day. Through education and courage, I overcame my fears and began living each day with my diabetes. I actually got off of insulin within the 1st year, and my numbers went way down.  

 One year later, spikes were happening, and bam! My blood glucose was over 1,000, and everyone was shocked. They said I should have been in a coma. I began working with a great team at Jefferson University. No more sliding scale. We did everything by counting carbs and figuring out the insulin-to-carb ratios. It was a process, but I got through it. Technology definitely helped me in this process with the CGMs, the InPen, and the insulin pumps. Staying consistent with workouts and healthy eating definitely helps, but of course, I slipped a few times, and the A1C got over 10, but I brought it back down to about 7. Now, I am trying to keep it under 7. 

It has been a crazy ride, but I don't let it stop me from doing what I want to do. I travel, I workout, I go out with family and friends. I feel I have all the tools required to keep me going strong with the diabetes. It's all about your mindset! My time in range in the last 90 days is 83% vs. the 40–50% prior. I credit my CGM and new insulin pump for that. It helps me make better choices when I can see the scale of the day’s readings. 

I'm feeling good and have set goals for my health that I plan on reaching! Family and friends are behind me 100%—that definitely helps.