Remembering Diani: A Mother's Fight to Help Others with Type 1 Diabetes

Losing my daughter, Diani, to type 1 diabetes changed the course of my life forever. Diani was diagnosed at 18, just as she stepped into adulthood, full of joy, ambition, and dreams. Suddenly, her world was filled with restrictions, calculations, and constant reminders that her health now rested in daily insulin injections, balanced meals, and careful monitoring. As bright and strong as she was, this new reality was hard for her to accept. Managing diabetes became not just a medical challenge, but an emotional and psychological one—a daily reminder of what had changed.

Over the years, Diani struggled with consistency in taking her insulin and managing her blood sugars, resulting in frequent hospitalizations for DKA. Even so, she remained determined to live independently and chase her dreams. In 2025, as she prepared to transition off my insurance after turning 26, we worked tirelessly to secure coverage for her. Despite our efforts, Diani was denied several times and, out of fear and frustration, tried to survive without insulin until her new coverage began. On May 18, 2025, my husband and I were dealt with a reality no parent should ever face—our daughter was gone.

In the months since that unimaginable loss, my grief has transformed into determination. I want to volunteer and share Diani’s story through the American Diabetes Association to help ensure no young adult faces the same barriers she did. I want to advocate for legislation that bridges insurance gaps, expand education on the realities of transitioning to adulthood with diabetes, and help families navigate these challenges before it’s too late. Diani’s story deserves to be heard, not in sorrow, but as a call to action. Through sharing it, I hope to help save lives, foster understanding, and protect other families from the heartbreak that changed ours forever.