Pihu

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at five years old, my world changed. I went from being a perfectly normal, healthy, and growing kid who loved soaking up the sun to one who had to learn how to stab herself with insulin injections, prick her fingers with needles several times a day, and give up KitKats—something most kids my age couldn’t even imagine. Yet, it wasn’t just the needles that hurt. The constant barrage of misconceptions from people stung too. I’ve heard everything from, “Oh, you must’ve eaten spoonfuls of sugar,” to “Maybe going to the gym will help you get rid of it.” It’s frustrating how misunderstood this disease still is.

It’s hard to stay positive about Type 1 diabetes when it has me wide awake at 2 a.m. the night before a crucial test, my blood sugar at 40, even though I thought I counted my carbs perfectly. I hate feeling abnormal among my peers. Ever been in a meeting where your phone suddenly rings, and everyone turns to look at you? Now, imagine that same feeling, but instead of a phone, it’s my insulin pump blaring with some eccentric alert noise in the dead silence of a final exam. In those moments, the world around me fades away, and I feel like my alter-ego: the alien with the beeping gadget, the one with a second head that my classmates can’t seem to stop staring at.

At times, I find myself wondering, “Why me?” and feeling a deep resentment towards my disease, especially when I have to interrupt a tennis match to treat a low blood sugar and lose momentum, or when I can’t enjoy the delicious ice cream my friends are eating because my blood sugar is at 250. Despite these frustrations, I remind myself that Type 1 diabetes has also taught me to be more responsible and mindful of my health. It has made me deeply appreciate the technology, resources, and support from the people around me who help me manage my condition.

Even though I’m only a junior in high school, Type 1 diabetes has been part of my life for over a decade now, and raising awareness has become my mission. Since fourth grade, I’ve stood in front of classrooms, determined to clear up the many misconceptions and help people understand what diabetes really is via PowerPoint presentations. Balancing it all—my blood sugar, school, sports, clubs, internships, and homework—hasn’t been easy, but I’m not someone who backs down. Nonetheless, even with the challenges I face, I’ve pledged to stay determined in my pursuit to uncover the reasons behind Type 1 diabetes and not let it overcome me. I know I’ll have this disease for my entire life, but I refuse to let it define or control me. Instead, I’m committed to fighting back—staying resilient, curious, and focused on finding answers for myself and for everyone else living with this condition.

I’ve written an article explaining diabetes which received over 400 views and even a research paper about the detrimental impact of high insulin costs and how it forces thousands of people to dangerously ration their insulin. I’ve even taken my fight to Capitol Hill, speaking to a congressman to raise awareness about the high prices of insulin. While some legislation has been passed to address this issue, there is still so much more work that needs to be done. I’m currently working on a children’s book to help young kids—or really anyone who doesn’t understand—learn about diabetes. At the end of the day, despite all the challenges, my goal is to figure out why people like me, perfectly healthy kids, develop this disease. That’s my lifelong mission.