Aleigha Killingsworth

I was diagnosed with T1 Diabetes on June 26th, 2006. I was 8 years old and life completely changed for me. I did not understand why I would have to begin taking shots every time I ate, or why I was constantly feeling “weird” (like dizzy, shaky, and weak) when I would run outside and play with my siblings. I grew up much faster than normal children. I was responsible for myself, my parents let me handle everything from checking my glucose levels to counting my carbs to taking my own shots. I managed it all by myself after being discharged from the hospital. Even though I didn’t understand what I had wrong with my body or why I had to do the things I had to do in order to stay healthy, I did it. And I’m alive today to tell my story and to help others like me who may be young or new to diabetes but don’t have help and are also doing it all on their own.