At the age of 19, I was diagnosed with diabetes. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that diagnosis would mean for my future. I thought it was something that I could manage easily, something that wouldn't have a significant impact on my life. But as the years went by, I began to realize just how serious diabetes can be if not carefully monitored and managed.
I was 15 when I was diagnosed just 2 months after getting Covid 19. My biological mom has T1D so I knew what symptoms and signs to look for. My symptoms started out with cramping in my legs and constant thirst. This was during Covid so the water fountains weren’t open at school and we had to buy bottles of water - therefore, every single period, I would go into the bathroom and drink water out of the faucet because I was so thirsty. It would get to the point where I would burst into tears if I couldn’t get any water.
I have been managing diabetes since 2010 with an A1C in the double digits for over a decade. I have struggled with my diet, weight, sleep habits, blood sugar levels, and maintaining a positive outlook. I tried a variety of strategies that were unsuccessful, however, ironically, the pandemic was the catalyst to get my health back on track. During COVID, I connected with the Walk with a Doc program and started walking in local parks and made small, realistic, attainable goals over time. Gradually the weight came off, I was sleeping better, and my diabetes became much more well controlled.
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