I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this year. I am well controlled with diet, exercise and medication. My diagnosis has been a rollercoaster of emotion. I was fearful and angry over my diagnosis initially, but this has turned into determination. I will not let diabetes be my identity. It’s just a part of my story. As a nurse, I have educated my patients over the years of the importance of taking charge and control over their diabetes. Now I walk this road with them.
My name is Brooke, and I am 18 years old. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was only 9 months old and was put on an insulin pump at the age of 1.
Growing up I didn't really care that I was different from family and friends until I was in 5th grade. K–4th grade I had a friend named Gio who was also a diabetic and we did everything together. But sadly, I moved in 5th grade and was the only diabetic my grade and I felt left out because no one wanted to be friends with the kid that had diabetes.
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