My diabetes journey began in August 2016. I was 29 years old. Like many who are first diagnosed, I ended up in the hospital with high blood sugar, severe dehydration, fatigue and exhaustion. “If you were my sister,” I recall my doctor saying, “I’d send you to the hospital.” And off to the hospital I went. I remember that day like it was yesterday: the doctors, the nurses, the diabetes educator, the concerned look on my parents’ faces. I didn’t even know what diabetes was at the time, much less how it would change my life forever.
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At the age of four, Tiffani was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At the age of 27, she completely lost her vision, was diagnosed with stage four renal failure and temporarily lost mobility due to complications of poor management. This is her story.
Jenni, from Lincoln, Nebraska, lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is committed to advocating for those living with diabetes. This is her story.
Jeris, from Mechanicsburg, Ohio, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) when she was just under two years old—but she hasn't let it hold her back. This is her story.
Shawn, from Los Angeles, California, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) when he was 14 years old. This is his story.
Sigrid from Wuppertal, Germany, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is her story.
Nicolene knows all too well how diabetes can impact vision. This is her story.
Ella's diagnosis came as a shock to Noelle, her mother. Now, Noelle is committed to educating others about the warning signs of type 1 diabetes. This is Noelle's story:
Ella was brought to the doctor when she was 22 months old, when I was concerned about her weight loss and constant peeing through diapers. We were told it was a urinary tract infection (UTI) and sent on our way.
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