Meet Erica: Advocate for Education Around Diabetes

My name is Erica and my dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when I was in middle school. His diagnosis came rather late as he had already been dealing with poor circulation in his lower extremities that eventually led to gangrene. My father eventually had to have an above-knee amputation on both his legs. His transition from diagnosis to becoming paraplegic happened rather quickly, and mostly because he wasn’t aware of his diagnosis early enough and had poor health literacy. 

For the last 20 years, I have championed for this cause via the ADA, educating myself and others on this chronic illness, and specifically its impact on the Caribbean American and African American communities. In recent years, my mother was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, fueling me ever the more to take better hold of my own personal health, supporting her in her journey and continuing to support the ADA and their work. 

Some of our community members have equated diabetes as “the sugar” or it to be “fat person” disease, perpetuating the cycle of misinformation. I hope to continue to annually participate in walks and other fundraisers when possible, to support the American Diabetes Association with their mission.