Inspiring Stories

Mummy little Angel

19/04/2011 my daughter had been so sick with mass weight loss, 24hr vomiting, vision issues and much more. After 3 different doctors telling me different things I lost it and walked into my doctors surgery telling my doctor (who was only just back at work after a/l) that she wasn't to touch her and call our family pediatric doctor to access her. After being told he was on rounds at the hospital I then drive like I never have to him and straight away he knew what was wrong. My little girl of only 3 at the time had been so sick for over a year with doctors telling me it was me and settle down. All symptoms had been there the whole time. We spent 10 days in hospital with the first 2 days on edge as she was so sick and they didn't know of the damage done. As I was also 8 months pregnant our little one decided she was ready to meet her big sister. So on the 30/4/2011 we had a new family member. It has been a long road for us as 2 years on we still had big other issues but mum stood her grounds and found a doctor who believed in us and finally again diagnosed with Coeliac Disease, muscle growth leg issues. We have so many other growth issues and yet every day she wakes up and says morning mummy and smiles at me. My daughter is my rock and my angel. No matter what what is thrown at her she takes it on and tells me that it will be ok and she can deal with it. We have meet some magical people along the way to which we hold them close to us as to had some very judging people too. No matter what comes at us we are taking it on and fighting all the way cause some day we know there will be a cure. My angel has told me so

Bernadette
Pelican Waters, Australia

Getting better every day

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 4 years ago. At the time I weighed 280lbs (I'm 5'10" tall). I was put on Metformin and insulin (12 unit once a day).
Since that time, through changes in my diet and plenty of exercise, I have managed to get my weight down to 190lbs, where it has been for almost 18 months now. After my last physical exam and A1c test, my doctor decided to take me off of Metformin and put me on Glyburide instead, he joked that I almost no longer could be considered Diabetic at all!
I am currently eating a high protein/low carb diet, with plenty of fruit (especially grapes and bananas), veggies, and nuts. I also walk and ride my bicycle for any trips less than 5 miles and walk my dog a mile to and from the park, twice a day for exercise. It is my intention to get down to about 185lbs, but safely and over time.

My A1c tests have been steadily improving and I ruddy well intend to keep it that way! With determination and patience, I KNOW that I will reach my goals!
While there may be no cure for Diabetes (yet), I consider myself to be living proof that a person CAN learn to make the required lifestyle changes to live quite well with the condition. I have never been physically healthier, aside from the condition of course, and as a result, I am in a better frame of mind generally speaking.
Life IS worth living!

Richard J Lacroix
Pontiac, MI

Alyssa's story.

7 years ago, I was diagnosed with type one juvenile diabetes. I can picture it all right now. I remember the doctor telling me my pancreas wasn't working right. At my age, I didn't know what that meant.. He told me I had to take shots, poke my finger and watch what I eat daily. Like I said I didn't understand, I didn't care at the time. I didn't even know what diabetes was until I was diagnosed. I remember everyone visiting me in the hospital like I was some sick child. And until I went home on July 14, that's when I knew. It hit me, I knew that I would never be normal again. I've grown with my diabetes. It has it's rough times but it has also made me stronger. I love to be an inspiration towards other people. Diabetes has its ups and downs but without it, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I can say that diabetes has made me one of the most strongest girls out there. I know i'm young. There's times I wish I could go back and remember when I didn't have diabetes but there isn't a thought in my head that comes to me about not ever having diabetes. , and believe me; all I get is questions every day. "Why do you have diabetes? You're not fat" "You're too young to have diabetes" etc. I've been teased about having diabetes, I've been accused of doing drugs. I've been asked why I have so many scars on my body. Sometimes it just hurts. But I know JDRF will soon find a cure for this horrible disease. We will fight and conquer diabetes! It seems like forever I've had this disease but like I said it makes me stronger... I love sharing my story. Diabetes is a part of me, and it will be for the rest of my life... Until we find a cure!

Alyssa Rojas
Weston, FL

Living with type 1 diabetes

My name is Rachel. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11, I am now 29. Typically I was loosing weight when I was younger, drinking alot and also kept getting recurring ear and thrush infections, which is how my doctors worked out I had diabetes.

It wasn't a great surprise for my family, as my paternal grandfather was type 1 and my mum, now has type 2 but also had gestational diabetes. For me it was the fact that I knew I had to inject, I was terrified of needles! But I gradually got used to the injections, well I had to!! Diabetes for me is now a way of life, sometimes it gets me down, having to test blood sugar and not being able to eat the same things my friends can.

My teenage years were harder than my life is now. On terms of drinking alcohol.

Being diabetic is a condition not an illness, and it does not define who I am!

Rachel Oppenheim
London, United Kingdom

Fighting the fight with my son.

Hello! A week and a half after my 10th birthday, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, I didn't know what was going on or even what diabetes was. All I knew was that it was Thanksgiving and I was in the hospital being poked every couple of hours. My parents were a great support team and tried their best to give me a "normal" life. My whole family had to make sacrifices for my new lifestyle, especially my two younger brothers. I had the best support system a diabetic could ask for.

When I was in my late 20s and early 30s, I had two amazing pregnancies. Both times I was blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby boy. After the birth of my youngest son, I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. But, as long as my boys were healthy...I could handle anything!

In April of this year, my BIGGEST fear became reality. My youngest son, who was 4 at the time, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Ironically, he was diagnosed a week and a half before his 5th birthday. His doctors think that he may have Celiac Disease as well. So, not only did he have to adjust to eating a set amount at designated times, but we now have to cut out gluten too. But through it all, he has been such a little trooper. Lucas is my inspiration to become healthier and to never give up fighting diabetes, and any other autoimmune disease. Hopefully we won't acquire any more...we have enough!

Lucas, Joe (his Dad and my husband), J.J. (his big brother and my oldest son) and I, along with all of our family and friends, will never stop hoping for a cure to Type 1 Diabetes.

Melanie
Kersey, PA

Jazmin's Story

My daughter, Jazmin, was diagnosed with Type 1 last November. At the time she was 6 years old. We thought she had a bad stomach flu at first. After 2 1/2 days of being sick and not keeping anything down, she started complaining of back pain. She became lethargic and began breathing fast. So I rushed her to the hospital were they put an IV in her and started taking blood tests. Looking at my precious child with the breathing mask and all the tubes and monitors, I feared the worst. Then they gave me the news that would change her life forever. They told me that she has Type 1 Diabetes with a BG of 489, she was keto-acidosic, and was close to a diabetic coma. They said they were glad I brought her in when I did. All I could do was thank GOD that this is something she can LIVE with and is treatable. We were then transported to one of the best children's ICU's in our state. She was hospitalized for a week, but the first day and a half was horrible. She was so thirsty, but in fear of her getting sick again, all she could have was a sponge on a stick with water so I could wet her mouth. She kept saying "Mommy, i just want some water". It was heart breaking as a Mother to see your child suffer like that, even though she had the IV and we knew she was being hydrated, she didn't understand. While we were there we received the best care and information for her diabetes. Now she is 7 and doing great!!! She is the most courageous child I have ever seen and takes her injections and finger pricks like a champ. She is doing awesome dealing with her new life style and making sure that "everyone" knows what she can and cant have to eat. Although she does have her "high" and "low" moments, we try to keep her sugar under control. It is really a juggling act and we learn more and more everyday.

Tiffany
LaPlace, LA

Logans life

I was diagnosed when I was 5 years old with type 1 diabetes. I am now 16 years old I play high school football, wrestle, and also run track. I give myself shots minimum of 7 times a day. I am like any other teenager except I have to test myself and take shots. I will not let diabetes hold me back I hope for a cure one day.

Logan
jeddo, MI

Lightning Struck Twice

Fall 2003, my husband is deployed to the Middle East with the Army. Something is wrong with him, but I don't know what. After many doctor visits and several miracles, a doctor finally checks his blood sugar. The test only shows that it's greater than 1000. I didn't even know what that meant at the time. We go through years of learning, get an insulin pump and settle back into "life". Summer of 2011, I start seeing the signs in my then 9 year old. It can't be, It doesn't run in any of the families, I know what happened to my husband, it can't be happening to my son also. Lightning does NOT strike the same place twice (okay, I know this isn't true, it's just very unlikely). I'm driving in my car when I tell my husband to check his blood sugar. He does and shows me the number...586. I don't throw up, I don't crash, I don't even cry because I don't want to scare him. Plus, deep down inside, I'm praying that there is some other explanation. There is not. Lightning DID strike twice. 2 years, another insulin pump and 5 karate belts later my son (and husband) live as normal life as possible and don't have to miss out on much because of diabetes. My son's A1C at the time of diagnosis was 13.9. Three months later, it was 6.2 thanks to the 8 years of experience we had with my husband. One of the first things I said to my husband on the way to the hospital with that reading of 586 was, "Now we know why you got it." Thanks to that experience, our son has never had to hear, "You can't do that" or "You can't eat that". And he never will.

Anonymous
York, PA

Type II and ME

Hi there. My name is Andrea and I have Type II Diabetes. I found out when I was 28 and I am now 50. I lost 150 pounds when I found out. I have gone through most ways of controlling my levels. In the last few years, I started losing a few toes and am now a double amputee below the knees. I have not given up and continue to do all to stay as healthy as possible. Humor has a large medicine for my daughter and I. I am in a wheelchair for now and living in a nursing facility til my landlord has our new home ready for me. We have lost almost everything through this but remain strong. My future is to be an educator and advocate for diabetics and amputees
I have learned to eat correctly and I exercise regularly. Dealing with this was very scary in the beginning. But I find it easier daily. People with the "it won't happen to me" attitude upset me. My friends will warn others now, using me as an example. I try to explain to others how much all of this has changed my life but many turn away. I would love to educate.

Andrea Hill
Rochester, NY

I'm still working at it!

I've told my story before...but it is a continuing story.. In 1960, when I was 7 years old, in the summer, I ran into my older brothers head,
and for the next few days, I was acting strange for my parents. My parents took me to the local doctor, and after that visit, I was taken
to the hospital. They discovered I had a blood sugar of like 600, and so it was determined I had type 1 diabetes.

I had to practice giving injections to oranges, and eventually gave shots to myself. NPH at that time..twice a day. Regular amount
set by the doctor..no blood monitors in 1960..only could test your urine with to tell if you were spilling sugar.

Glass syringes, longer needles at that time..Had to reboil the syringes, and needles and reuse them for like 30 days...ouch did they
get dull. I had two of the best Doctors at that time, in Grand Rapids Mi...Keats Vinning, and Robert Rood...Dr. Rood is my Dr. yet today.
Pretty amazing..LOL.

Well, I've seen such great changes, it amazing..from newer insulins, shorter needles, pens that hold insulijn, insulin pumps..:D.

I had used Listpro and Lantus, but they both made my blood pressure drop, and I fainted several times, so the best solution was to go on
the Medtronic Insulin pump. My last several HA1C's have been 7 or below...pretty good for a diabetic of 53 years I figure..Yeah!

I now have hypoglycemia unawareness, and am on disability. I check my blood sugar often, and try and take care of myself. It's all up to
you. It's so neat now that I can take the insulin to eat what I want..back in the 60's..no way..could never do that.

So you new diabetics, work at it...and you can make it happen! Good luck, and take care of yourself.

Marvin Waid
Belding, MI