This is about me and my feeling. I will have parts of my stories and some education about type 1 diabetes.
Hey I am Sarah Ray, I am 20 years old and a Junior at Abilene Christian University. I am working towards my BA in Business Management. My dream is to open a Bakery that is centered towards people who have type 1 diabetes. I want to create cakes that are totally amazing and that are not sugar-free, however work better with our bodies and will taste amazing. I have not exactly figured out how to do that quite yet, but I will figure it out. I have had Type 1 Diabetes for seven years, seven months and some odd days. The date my life changed forever was July 7,2003. I will tell you the story of the day that changed my life another time…Think LIFE FLIGHTED.
For about three or four of those years I felt very alone because I felt no could understand what I was dealing with. I love my mommy and she is my biggest support, however as much as she tried she could never understand what I was truly going through the feelings, the questions the list goes on. When I was diagnosed during the summer my mom and I had time to try to understand the new changes that was going on with my body. I remember bgs lows and having no idea what to do if I should fix it or not eat anything because the doctors did say “now do not eat anything” but I was low I was very confused. I remember being high and needing insulin and not wanting to poke myself and just crying.
By school time I was finally a 8th grader! Had a better idea of what to do, not completely, however I had a general idea. I had amazing teachers who supported me though my diabetes. One had been a t1, however had not taken care of himself and had a transplant of a pancreas and kidney I believe. It is kind of fuzzy it was something like that, however I was still trying to deal with classes, boys, friends, and trying to figure out t1 all at the same time. He did make me comfortable about checking my bg in class and always reminded me that he had sweets in his desk in case I went low and did not have anything. I had amazing teachers who always supported me. The nurse was nice, however all I remember is sorry you cannot go to lunch until your bg is up which meant basically all of my 8th grade fun lunch stuff was taken away I barely remember eating with my friends. I did not understand why I had to eat lunch in the nurses office instead of with my friends and then tell them what my bg was right before the bell rang I was after all eating!!!! There was another boy who had t1 since he was little, however would never really talk to me about t1. Yes I was frustrated I had lots of questions with no one to talk to. My mom and I went on a JDRF walk and a few t1 festivals or something. I still felt alone. I remember who talked me into the pump a nine year old girl!! I had a few conversations with some t1s however it was a onetime thing. I wanted more, I needed more. I needed the understanding and the support. I needed to know I was not the only one going through this.
I have never felt embarrassed by my t1, I was proud because I knew it was not my fault. It is something that I have to deal with and take care of. My friends knew I had it and it really did not phase them they would just look away when I did a shot. I even taught them about it and my best friend was able to check my bg and give me shots. He paid attention to how I acted and would help me remember bg checks, shots, and carbs. Pretty amazing for someone who was a year younger than I was.
Finally in high school I started finding other t1’s, and finally in College I found out that facebook had an amazing support t1 group and even one in my college. Not only did my a1c change I do not feel alone and I am able to help other t1’s not be alone. I have many stories and much more to say. This is just a bit of why I am a girl who just needs insulin added.
