Meet Carly: Misdiagnosed at 10, Now a Powerful Type 1 Diabetes Advocate

When I was 10 years old, I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I stayed home from school that day because I was not feeling well. I ended up going to the hospital because I was gasping for air. My blood sugar was 1,149, which is dangerously high. I am thankful everyday that I am alive because that was very scary. I had to quickly acclimate to a new life where I was learning to give myself insulin shots and count carbohydrates. 

I ended up finding a diabetes camp, ADA Camp Midicha, a few years later and it was truly incredible. I got to be around people who knew what I was going through. I loved that they had medical staff so I could just be a kid for a week. I didn’t have to worry about counting carbs or giving insulin because they helped me with that. I made some amazing friends as a result of going to this camp. 

I have done a lot of fundraising for type 1 diabetes since I was diagnosed. Most of the money I made went to Camp Midicha because I was fortunate enough to get scholarships to be able to attend camp and I wanted others to have the same opportunity that I did. I ended up becoming a leader in training for Imagine Camp during the pandemic, which was so much fun. 

I have sat at health care roundtables to share my story because I believe it is important to educate if we are going to see change. In 2020, I was invited to be a guest of my representative to the State of the Union as a result of my advocacy, which was an incredible opportunity. I got to talk to different journalists and share why diabetes was so important to me. 

After going to the State of the Union, I got to meet former CEO of the American Diabetes Association, Tracey Brown, which was such a fun day. I wouldn’t have any of the cool opportunities that I have had if I didn’t put myself out there and share about my diabetes. I was so thankful to become a youth ambassador for the American Diabetes Association and be a Red Rider® during the virtual Tour de Cure®.

I have been diagnosed for over 10 years, which seems crazy to me. I am proud of how far I have come. I am grateful for the friendships and opportunities that diabetes has given me. This disease may not fun, but I have had some great role models to help me through it.