3 year Diaversary- January 6th 2014

7,665 Finger Pokes
2,560 Shots
1,095 Days
370 Site Changes
12 Dexcom Insertions
3 YEARS

I have inserted a minimum of 10,607 NEEDLES into my body in the last 3 years. That is just too many. I am tired of being a human pin-cushion, and so are the millions of others who also live with T1D fighting to make the most of each day. I am more committed than ever to finding a CURE so that no one else has to join this gross club where blood and needles are considered normal.

So skinny :( 

Recently, I was watching home videos from Christmas 2010, 12 days before my diagnosis . As I read our annual letter from Santa, I had to take off my glasses because everything was blurry and my voice was hoarse and quivering as if talking zapped all my energy. I looked like a bag of bones. I can barely stand to watch it. In the the time that we opened gifts, I was continually drinking out of my water bottle.  How did I not realize something was wrong? I am so thankful that my diagnosis was made a week and a half later, because it could have been much worse.

I am not the same person I was 3 years ago. In fact, I have undergone a complete transformation. My body is so much healthier now, and I can sustain my weight.  This is something I have struggled with since birth. I have also become more responsible, independent, and organized. You have to be, if you want to maintain control. At the beginning, I only let my mom give me my shots. After my first five shots from her,  I became more confident and took over.  I also gained a voice through diabetes; I love meeting diabuddies, explaining the disease to outsiders, and advocating for a cure with JDRF. Without T1D, I would still be that shy, skinny girl who was scared of everything and did not have her own voice.

Type 1 Diabetes has taught me so much about treating each day as a blessing. I am grateful for all I have learned, but it is time for a CURE! Let's all pray that 2014 brings new technology and research to lead us in this direction.

I cannot change it, so I embrace it 

I understand a cure is still a while down the road, so I always try to celebrate the little victories along the way. Whenever Dexter has a 24 hour BG graph that is completely in range, I snap a picture. These small things help motivate me to continue working hard controlling my diabetes because being my own pancreas is a full time job and sometimes feels like a burden. Every year on my Diaversary, my family and I do something special to remember the day. It is not a sad occasion but a celebration of life and good health. This year I gave my parents and brother a thank you card on my diaversary because this journey involves and effects the entire family. I am lucky to have been born and diagnosed during a time when technology is so advanced. There are so many different treatment options. My grandparents, who are in their late 80's, tell me stories of their childhood when people who were diagnosed with diabetes did not live more than a year.  Therefore, I am truly blessed. Bring on year 4, I won't let Diabetes win!!!!!

-Morgan