Growing up with a type 1 diabetic dad, I had to learn young what to do in emergencies. My dad always planned on dying young from his disease. God had other plans for him. My dad never took care of himself. My dad used to be a construction worker, building houses, racing bmx bikes, and riding crotch rockets. He was my superhero dad.
Agne Kisonaite is a professional artist who transforms everyday objects into creative art & design. Her work includes paintings, sculptures, furniture and handmade rug designs as well as art venue staging. Agne won the Lithuanian National Design Prize in 2015, and in the same year her art object ‘Lipstick Tower’ shown in Hong Kong achieved a Guinness World Record. Agne dedicates part of her efforts to projects looking at improving the lives of those affected by diabetes. You can visit Agne's portfolio at agneart.com.
The ADA, represented by Safe at School Director Crystal Woodward, is a long-standing member of the Virginia Diabetes Council (VDC), a volunteer-led diabetes organization that advocates for diabetes prevention, management, and healthier lifestyle choices for Virginians.
Roger lives with type 2 diabetes and resides in New Jersey.
June 11, 2019 is the day that changed my life forever. This is the day that I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, as most diabetics, my journey started years earlier. This is my story about my journey to better health.
Alfonzo has type 1 diabetes and has battled the disease on a very low income. This is his story:
Still Fighting After 18 Surgeries
I was 16 years old when I got diagnosed with diabetes. I had been using the bathroom a lot, drinking a lot of water, and eating anything that I could find. I was taken to a children’s hospital, where I was given a big bag of insulin [vials] to bring down my A1C. I then had to do a week of classes. It seemed like nobody wanted to help me, but no one in my community really understood diabetes.
Antoinette lives with type 2 diabetes and is committed to fighting the stigma surrounding it. She writes about her experience at realdiabetics.com.
I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic about 4 years ago at the age of 42. My introduction to diabetes was quite amazing. I woke up in the ICU of the hospital to learn that my blood sugar on admission was 1315. Yes, you read that right—1315. My A1C was 18.2. I was in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Kylie’s son, Rowen, lives with type 1 diabetes—but Kylie refuses to let the fear hold their family back.
Nikki lives with type 2 diabetes—and thrives, despite her diagnosis and her experience with several diabetes-related complications.
My name is Nikki and I am a type 2 diabetic of seven years. For the last two years, I've spent my New Years’ Eves in the ICU battling acute pancreatitis, sepsis, and ketoacidosis. I treat every day as a blessing and a gift, as each hospitalization was worse than the last. As such, I've vowed to train for a marathon to run in honor of the American Diabetes Association and have also raised $1,000 in donations.
Patricia is a Pilates instructor living with type 1 diabetes. Though she has experienced diabetes-related complications, she has refused to let them keep her down. This is her story:
For the last 17 years, I have been without one eye. I wear a prosthetic eye hand-painted to "look normal" during the day. Type 1 diabetes has stolen my vision.
Sara is from Sweden and has type 1 diabetes. She has lived with an eating disorder and shares her story to educate others and help remove the stigma she faced.
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