Meet Gracie: From DKA (Ketoacidosis) to Charity Work with Type 1 Diabetes

I remember having a fun night with my family at the park. We bought McDonald's and ate there. It was a great night. I ate so much food and played so hard. But when we got home, I fell ill. After that night, I didn't get better. 

It was at the age of 8 that I found myself within the throes of diabetic ketoacidosis. For a week, my symptoms crescendoed from frequent thirst and urination to abdominal cramps and not being able to keep anything down. By April 29 of 2010, my butt was parked in the ICU unit at Loma Linda Children's Hospital—that was the day my life changed forever. But it's also the day I was introduced to charity work.

I am artist. I always have been. A hospital stay did not change that. Once I bounced back enough from the severity of my condition, I was interacting with all of the various charities that stopped by. We made art, we talked, I got stuffed animals, and I was inspired. That stayed with me.

If it weren't for my diagnosis and that stay at the hospital, I never would have gotten into charity work. Almost 15 years later, I am making costumes for charity work. I have been to hospitals in costume to bring smiles during uncertain times. I dress up as various superhero characters with my insulin pump proudly on display. Kids can look at my costumes and know they can grow up to be whoever they want regardless of diabetes. Even a superhero.