#t1dlikeme

(9/9) We have the choice everyday- give in and accept defeat or go straight for the hurdle. I am acknowledging, and I hope you can too, how hard life and sports are with diabetes, but also how self-fulfilling and beneficial it is. I know that nothing can stop me, nothing is too hard, or too big, and no matter how hard life gets, I will try my best to overcome it. God has a plan for my life and diabetes, and I want to make the most of it and help others realize their strength and potential along the way! (Also I want to thank all my amazing support staff- Mom and dad and broskie, coaches, athletic trainers, teammates and friends for helping me along the way!) -Amber Jackson #t1dlikeme @amber_jackson13 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cepl5kIMy0I/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Stephanie’s Story- “ Accepting my T1D diagnosis was no easy task. I vividly remember the moment I found out. I was driving when my phone rang and my family doctor shared the news. I instantly broke down in tears. My heart shattered. Living with a fear of needles, the idea of multiple daily injections seemed unimaginable to me. The next few months to follow are a blur. It was consistent waves of emotion. I went from feeling devastated and heartbroken about my diagnosis to feeling empowered and determined. It wasn’t until I turned to social media to connect with the T1D community that I truly started to accept my new life living with a chronic illness with no cure. Seeing the abundance amount of support and encouragement from other people experiencing the same struggles as me motivated me in many ways. Meeting people who have lived with T1D for decades and seeing young children juggling daily injections inspired me. Although T1D has tested my mental health and resiliency, it has brought some blessings into my life. Fast forward 7 months, I have shifted my career in health to work for the American Diabetes Association, currently serve as a mentor for newly diagnosed diabetics, and work to pay forward the support I so desperately needed when I was diagnosed.” -Stephanie Weaver #t1dlikeme @the.diabetesdiary @amdiabetesassn https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAeb2tMe9f/?utm_medium=tumblr

Marisa’s Story - When I was 18 years old, I found out my senior year of high school that I had type one diabetes. I felt overwhelmed, embarrassed, and lost. I already had so many things to think about, considering I was preparing myself for college in less than a year, and I was not expecting diabetes to be one of them. To be completely honest, after I had calmed down after being in my hospital bed for a while, I began to think to myself, “Wait, what is diabetes anyway?”. I had no idea how it worked, what it entailed, or how it was caused, other than the stereotypes I had believed for years. I was immediately discouraged in the days to come after I had been diagnosed, as my ears were filled with what sounded like nothing but limitations on my new normal. There were so many, “you can’t”, “no more of”, and “you won’t”, that I felt as if my entire life would forever be lived differently than others, and I immediately longed for my life before. However, with just a little practice and education on my new normal, I quickly realized that there are no benefits for feeling bad for myself, or wanting sympathy from others. Rather, I ask for empathy from others, and feel thankful that I am able to educate people on Type 1 Diabetes! I live my life like everyone else does, just with a few extra steps that have now become so routine I hardly think about them. I have found joy in talking about my disease, and it is my hope that everyone can recognize the things that make them unique, and embrace themselves for who they are, for it is our differences that make us special! I can’t say living with diabetes is easy, but it is simply a disease that does not define me, but contributes to the person I have become today! -Marisa Warta @marisawarta #t1dlikeme https://www.instagram.com/p/CWq37gqFjki/?utm_medium=tumblr

Congrats to T1Dlikeme founder and creator @jt1kaufman on finishing his second marathon yesterday and first official marathon in Chicago yesterday with a time of 3:33! He also raised over $3,000 for @jdrfillinois #t1dlikeme (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CU5DalKrRuR/?utm_medium=tumblr

One challenge i had to overcome was simply accepting T1D. It took me awhile to inject in public, show & be proud of my devices, talk about diabetes and educate people. The first few years I was diagnosed I didn’t take care of my sugar because I didn’t want to accept being “different” it wasn’t until i was 21 and my sugar was out of control making me feel like crap did i accept this disease and take ownership of it. Now I live a much happier and healthier life because I know diabetes doesn’t define me and everything a non diabetic can do/enjoy i can too! -Katie O’Malley @relatable_t1d @katieomalley06 #t1dlikeme https://www.instagram.com/p/CTulSvHlnX4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Sami’s Story- I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes December 15, 2012 when I was 12 years old! I remember my fear of needles kicked in right away and I had no idea how I was going to fight this disease and manage it for the rest of my life. Not only did I become diabetic, but I was insulin resistant, dealt with adrenal PCOS, had hair loss, and was consistently putting on weight gain. It wasn’t until a couple years ago that I found out the plant based diet reversed insulin resistance and would help my health tremendously alongside medication and exercise. Growing up dancing my whole life, I had to learn to control my blood sugars, be vocal with my disease, and have confidence in every situation. I have learned so much from type 1 diabetes and want others to know you are not alone and everyone who deals with this is also on the rollercoaster of emotions and blood sugars. My best advice I can give to those dealing with diabetes is to attend to your needs dealing with this disease and to NEVER be embarrassed. I would obviously take a cure, but I would never redo the experience because it has taught me everything that has led me up to this point in life! -Sami Parker @t1d_sami @samileilani #t1dlikeme https://www.instagram.com/p/CS8S0Gbs2Lp/?utm_medium=tumblr