Meet Precious

At nine, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a frightening and confusing time for my parents and me. Prior to the diagnosis, I had symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision, but I didn't think much of them. My teachers noticed I was struggling to focus and my grades dropped. One day, I became ill at school, and after being hospitalized, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a challenging time, but with the unwavering support of my family, I learned to manage it, even giving myself insulin injections.

My college years brought a significant disruption to my diabetes management. The newfound freedom and responsibilities led me to neglect my diet and blood glucose monitoring, resulting in multiple hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis and a decline in kidney function. This led to a referral to a nephrologist and placement on the kidney and pancreas transplant list. The journey was not easy and I eventually had to undergo dialysis—a development that shook me to the core. After four months of dialysis, I was fortunate to receive a kidney and pancreas transplant. While the organs initially responded well, complications arose seven months later, necessitating emergency dialysis. 

While on the transplant waitlist, I became more engaged in my health care and advocated for others, serving as a dialysis patient representative. I also connected with national kidney advocacy organizations, which led to more advocacy for a better health care system. After eight years on dialysis, I received a second kidney transplant, but it only lasted three years. I then went back on dialysis before receiving a third transplant. But I didn’t give up. I fought back with my strength, determined to overcome this setback.

My journey, though challenging, has been a testament to the importance of early detection and education in managing diabetes and kidney disease. I earned a master's and PhD in human behavior while navigating the complexities of dialysis and multiple transplants. Throughout this journey, I've been committed to raising awareness about these conditions and advocating for better health care practices. By the grace of God, the challenges I've faced have only made me more resilient and passionate about helping others. I've found my purpose in this advocacy work and continue to thrive, embracing the lessons learned from my journey.