I’m Eileen and I was a 7-year-old type 1 diabetic when I was diagnosed in the early 1960s. No pumps, no A1Cs, used glass syringes to inject insulin—I was my pediatrician’s first diabetic patient he ever treated. My mom learned everything regarding food and food exchanges and taught me everything she knew. I am forever grateful to her. I too went to Camp NYDA in upstate NY and from the great experiences I had there, I knew I would become a RN. I learned to stand up for myself as prejudice sometimes showed its ugly face.
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM) in 1984, at the age of 24, with my first pregnancy. It was actually the beginning of my journey with type 1 diabetes and I was devastated and afraid for my future. I had been practicing as an RN for three years and had worked with many people who had diabetes. After diagnosis, I realized that I never fully understood what having diabetes meant and the many challenges that were involved. Being diagnosed with diabetes gave me a new perspective. I recognized how I previously made judgements without really knowing the story.
Give Today and Change lives!
With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes.