Inspiring Stories

Bailey's Story

This is Bailey. He is 9 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 2. Like many other stories I read and hear about, Bailey came down with a virus a about three weeks before all of the symptoms began. This started with thirst, constant urination and lack of apatite. He was also very lethargic and had no interest in playing or acting like a normal 2 year old. Unfortunately since he was 2 it was a struggle because he could not communicate what he was feeling with us. After trips to his Pediatrician and children's urgent care, we were given two different diagnosis, which neither was diabetes.

Finally one evening Bailey was in the bath just setting there in a daze. I also noticed that his breathing was very heavy and he was laboring to get breath's. We knew at this point we must get him to the Children's ER. When we arrived he wouldn't respond to anyone! They were waving their hands in front of his eyes, snapping their fingers etc.....still nothing. The Nurse decided to check his blood sugar and this is all it took and the reality hit us......."your child is diabetic".

It's now over 7 years later and he has become an inspiration many of us. Diabetes is all he knows being diagnosed so young he doesn't know anything different. Sure Bailey complains on occasion when it's time to change his pump or a finger check gets in the way of play time or a sporting event, but other than this his as happy and active as any other 9 year old.

Bailey doesn't let diabetes get in the way of anything in his life. He loves baseball and basketball and plays both sports at very competitive levels for this age. He inspires many and is fortunate to have friends and family that help us out which lets him do pretty much anything that any other kid his age enjoys doing.

Let's keep pushing for a cure!

Mike Hopson
Pataskala, OH

27 years and counting....

I was diagnosed with type 1 at the ripe old age of 8. Type 1 runs on my dad's side so it should have come as no surprise. After our primary care doctor tried to treat it with diet, my mom finally took me to another doctor who admitted me to the hospital for a week. After that, I did not test like I should....at all. Thankfully, after 10 years out of control, I became pregnant, and that finally was what I needed to force me to take care of myself. Since I had my son at 18....who I honestly believe saved my life....my A1c's have been under 6.5. I have two healthy boys, now 18 and 12, and have been married to my Ryan for nearly 17 years. He and both of the boys have been excellent caregivers to me over the years. I finally got a pump about 4 years ago, and it has made my life so much better. Unfortunately, last fall I developed complications with small fiber neuropathy which is painful and disabling so after 16 years of working mostly full-time, I'm now unable to work. When I think about it, I feel lucky I don't have more and worse complications considering the way I didn't take care of myself for all those years. Moral of the story.....start checking those sugars frequently now so you don't have to experience these complications!!

Jayme Kepner
Walnut, IL

My Journey with Diabetes

Here is a little bit of back story. I am very stubborn. I like to do things for myself. I do not like to ever ask for help.
July 20th 2012 is when I found out that I have type 1 Diabetes. I knew for about 8 months that something was wrong. I started drinking liquids more frequently. That went on for a few months and then I noticed that I was going to the bathroom for frequently and then after several months I noticed that I had lost a lot of weight. I had also been throwing up every single day exactly two hours after I ate breakfast. I was may of 2012 and I had lost 22 pounds and was drinking about 3 gallons of water and day and going to the bathroom every hour. I had also noticed that my urine smelled like honey when I went to the bathroom. I thought to myself there is definitely something wrong with me.
I was sitting in my Biology Lecture class and we were talking about Diabetes and the different types. I knew that material like that back of my hand. Diabetes runs in my family like water. At least one person on each side of the family has or had every different type. There was a student in the class who has Diabetes that shared his story with us. I went home and told my mother that I thought I could have Diabetes. She told me to go to the doctors. Me being stubborn I didn't. It wasn't until July that I finally did. The process started 2 days before. The doctor gave me a prescription for insulin and my testing supplies. If it would not have been for my Diabetes team now I wouldn't be here today.

Salena Wilson
wheeling, WV

Primitive Playground

When I was diagnosed type one diabetic,
everyone knew what I was in for but me.
The only life I knew was that of an athlete,
and I lost control over my fuel source.

But what I did next sparked the single
most proud accomplishment in my life.
I turned to my parents and told them
this is going to fit into my life.
It took seven years, but
I upheld my promise to both my parents
and to myself.

When I was diagnosed, I was shattered.
My world fell to pieces, but in that process-
the deepest breakdown of myself I could
ever experience- I got to know each and
every piece I am made of.
I found courage, strength and eventually,
self-assurance. I picked up every piece
that I wanted to salvage and I fit them
back together efficiently. By doing so,
I find I can live effectively.
That is the type of fitness I believe in.

You are made of unique pieces. Get familiar with them.
Primitive Playground is about finding how they
'fit' together efficiently, in order to live more effectively.

Evolution used to mean only the fit survive,
today it means those who are fit, thrive.

Joseph Fiorucci
Tampa, FL

My Life...The Craziest Rollercoaster I Have Ever Been On

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes back in 2008 when I switched doctors. I was shocked. It ran in my family but neither my brother or sister ended up with it. I came to find out that problems had been showing up in my blood work since I was 14 but went undiagnosed because the doctors never paid attention to it. At 20 years old, I was told not only was I diabetic but I also had polycystic ovarian syndrome, hypertension, hypothiroidism and hypertrigliceridism. My entire life changed in a second. They started me on 12 meds per day some multiple times a day and told me I had to eat different, check my sugar, and see what felt like 10 different doctors on the regular. It effected everything. Because i had so many problems, they seriously interacted with one another and my blood sugar was out if control all the time. I was depressed because I couldn't be healthy and I tried so hard to be. I measured all my food, took my meds and still couldn't control anything. Diabetes controlled me.

A year ago, i went to the doctor for back pain. I ended up being admitted to the hospital with an A1c of 9.8 and an average blood sugar of almost 300. My triglicerides soared over 8500 and my cholesterol hit 1000 due to a reaction of one of my meds. The pain was from acute pancreatitis and my body almost shut down. I was there for 10 days not allowed to eat or drink and I could barely walk. I now take two types of insulin in addition to my meds and check my sugar 5 times a day. The hospital was a nightmare and I had scares on plenty of occasions but I am thankful because they said if I had waited any longer, I would be dead. I am happy to say that since, I am healthy and in control of my life and my diabetes. To everyone struggling out there, you CAN do it. Just have hope.

Shannon
Danbury, CT

My Story

I am 41 today and was first diagnosed at the age of 20 with type 1 diabetes.Turns out i had it as far back as the age of 12.
Long story short damage from the disease and smoking have led to the loss of my right leg below the knee. I have had several surgeries due to diabetes and dvts (deep vein thrombosis aka blood clots). I have been lucky to have had 5 blood clots removed and several stents
placed to keep iliac arteries open.
I am the proud owner of a prosthetic leg. lol. i can still do just about everything i was able to do with two real legs.I just have to go about whatever it is in a different manner than most people. I have walked a different path than most people. I've been through things most pp wouldn't begin to understand.I wouldn't change a thing bc it's made me who i am today.
My advice is if u need the prosthetic limb...please get it! There are bumps along the journey but u can get thru them.I hope to inspire at least one person in my life and I hope and pray some day they find a cure for this disease. This pic of my first tattoo is my bday present from my husband

Anonymous
Henderson, KY

Just keep swimmin!

My name is Brandi and I was diagnosed with type 1 when I was just nine months old. I have had to deal with many obstacles with this disease which hasn't been easy! My daughter was born premature with health issues and last December my husband and I had to terminate our pregnancy because it was making me so sick that it was life or death for me.Not to mention the daily struggle of keeping blood sugars under control,and complications that have raised over the years.With all the hard situations that you go through as a diabetic, there is life that goes along with it, and it can be a good life if you choose for it to be. I didn't always take care of my self the way I should have and I deal with the consequences now, but I've learned that this disease doesn't have to be a death sentence. I've learned that your support team is extremely important. From your doctors to the people you surround yourself with. I couldn't imagine life with out my husband and daughters daily support. My husband could have walked out when things got tough but he hasn't he has stuck by my side with an unwavering love and support I couldn't have even imagined!It's very important to also educate your kids, my daughter grew up knowing all about diabetes!.My mom, I am in awe of her!I would not be here today without my moms willingness to take on such a tremendous and daily responsibility!She is my hero!My friends support has also been so very important to my health! Diabetes can be hard for some people to understand since it's not something you always "see", so having people in your corner is very important. Don't be afraid to always be open and honest about your disease, it helps people to know what your going through and understand. My advice to people who are newly diagnosed is to not be afraid, don't hide it, wear it proud! Talk about it, educate yourself and others! Rally people around you because your gonna need it!

Brandi Manuel-Calvo
Santa Cruz, CA

My diabetes story

Well, my names lucy and im 20 years old. Coming up on the 17th July it will be 4years since i was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. From around april i knew there was something wrong and having a sister who was already type 1 i knew i had the symptoms. But, it was my important year in high school sitting my gcses an knew i couldnt have anything ruin my studies. My mum seen a complete change in her healthy athletic daughter. My weight dropped to 5 and a half stone and all i was doin was sleeping and eating sugar. I cant imagine the stress i put her through. I completed my last exam and my mum dragged me the doctors, i was underweight, tired, drained and the doctor who knew my blood sugars were hitting 33 said that there was no way i was diabetic because i was 16. So i refused to go the hospital for a blood test for a week as the doctors are alwats right arent they? Wrong! I went to the hospital and had my bloods taken to find out as igot home i had blood poisoning and had to be rushed into hospital.i was in for 4days and thats when i felt like my life went downhill. Just because im diabetic doesn make me different to anyone else. I struggled through my gcses while being ill and ended up passing 12 exams and getting better than expected! I am now a student at edge hill university with 2 jobs and a volunteering job too. Il never forget that day being told my life was about to change. If anything, its changed for the better as i am alot more stronger and determined to do what im on this world to achieve! Thats just a little insight to my story, i want people to know that they shouldn be scared as you are never alone. Thanks to my story its made me who i am today.

Anonymous
Liverpool, United Kingdom

how I took control of my diabetis

I was diagniosed with diabetis about 5 years ago an could never get my sugar under control an my doctor put me on 2 differnt medication for controling my bloodsugar,an I still couldnt get it undercontrol then he put me on insulin an I never liked needles.so I started a reuteen with exercise I have to stress the exercise an a strict diet of lots of low carb vegie's,I have to have a very low carb diet an I exercise an keep a very active life style an no drinking alcahol,it will mess with your meds,I use the plate method an yes I pileup the vegie's so I feel full an very little carbs,but you will have to adjust this to your own needs,what works for me might not for you,so use precation at trying differnt things an find out what works for you,happy trying an get this undercontrol an take back control of your life

james
Illinois, Cuba

Me, Insulin, and Ed

Ok...so, Ed is not a person...ed is short for "eating disorder." But, I did not start out having your often heard about anorexia or bulimia. I suffered with "diabulimia." For those who may be unfamiliar...diabulimia is the practice of restricting insulin in an attempt to lose weight. Dangerous? Ummm..you bet. However, the results of this fast weight loss became an addiction and soon I was scared to give my insulin at all.

When i found out I was diabetic, I often felt pressured by doctors to keep everything "perfect" including my weight. This strive for perfection sent me into a dangerous pattern of restricting food, restricting insulin, and purging to keep my weight near perfect. All of this began after the birth of my daughter. I was old enought to know better, but too wrapped up in my eating disorder to care that I was slowly killing myself.

After battling for three years, my daughter became the inspiration I needed to get healthy and stay healthy. At three years old, she was able to convince me that I was "beautiful" just the way I was...diabetic and all. I later was put on an insuln pump and proud to say that I have left the dangerous patterns behind me. This March I wrote a book about my battle with diabetes and diabulimia. I did not write it for money, but for continued recovery for myself and to let others who may be battling that they are not alone. And, since the release of my book "Slow Suicide," I have met many people on line from around the world who have been battling as well.

If my journey can prevent others from trying this deadly practice, then my journey has been a success.

Amy Marcle
Milan, TN