My Diagnosis Story: Life Changed at 11

34 years with Type 1 Diabetes, and I'm still learning, growing, and showing up every day.

We were on a family trip in the summer of 1991 when I suddenly got really sick. I couldn’t keep food down, the weight started falling off, and I was thirsty all the time — literally drinking two full liters of seltzer water a day. My parents didn’t understand what was happening, so my dad took me to the hospital. That’s when the word “diabetes” entered my world — a word that would change my life forever.

Waking up with this diagnosis felt surreal. Like I was watching myself from a distance, hoping I’d wake up soon. I spent two weeks in the hospital just trying to wrap my head around what was happening. At 11 years old, I didn’t really understand what it all meant — I just knew life was going to change: shots, finger pricks, and being the kid who sometimes had to sit things out.

Now, 34 years later, I realize that 11-year-old me had no idea how strong she’d need to be. T1D has shaped me, challenged me, and taught me that balance — not perfection — is what matters most.

I’m sharing my diagnosis story not because it’s rare, but because it’s real. If you’re newly diagnosed, or love someone who is, I hope it’s a reminder that even the hardest beginnings can lead to strength you didn’t know you had.