Meet Allie: Not Letting Type 1 Diabetes Slow Her Down

When I was younger, I used to play girls lacrosse. At practices, we noticed constant passing out episodes from me. I had an increase in thirst, and I was losing weight in an unexplainable way. The doctors advised me to get blood work done. 

On July 6^th, 2017, I went and completed my blood work, went on with my day as a normal kid, saw a movie with my family, and went to bed—not knowing my entire life was about to change. At about 5:45 a.m. the next day on July 7^th, my mom rushed in and told me to pack a bag and that we had to take me to the hospital. I remember on the way over I was scared and unsure of what my life was about to become. I remember sitting in that hospital bed when the doctor came in and confirmed I had type 1 diabetes. I had no education or knowledge of what I was just told. From there, they gave me education, helped me understand, and gave me resources to support me. 

Now I have diabetes for quite some time but still experience struggles here and there. I have been in the ICU twice for DKA: one from a failed insulin pump and no CGM, and the other from again, a failed insulin pump. Diabetes has been very scary to learn and very hard to come to terms with. I used to try and hide my diabetes and act like I didn't have it. I was letting it take over my life completely. Once I realized how much control I can have, so many opportunities and doors opened for me. I learned to not let diabetes slow me down or stop me from continuing on in my journey of life.