LauraKate Buttrill

25 years with type 1 diabetes. 9,131 days. Countless vials of insulin, strips, pokes, and CGM sensors. Too many juice boxes consumed to count. I don’t remember life without diabetes; it has been part of who I am for as long as I can remember. It’s only fitting that in the same month of my 25th Diaversary, I get to add 5 little letters to the end of my name: CDCES.

1000 diabetes education hours were required to even sit for the exam, and while it took years to obtain those hours, it’s nothing compared to the almost 220,000 hours I have spent living with T1D. But to be honest, I’m not mad at diabetes – I’m thankful for it. Diabetes has given me some of my best friendships in life. I have learned a lot about myself through this disease. Many of my favorite memories are at diabetes camp, a place I never would’ve known about without T1D. I gained so much confidence while learning how to manage diabetes independently and troubleshoot any problems that arise. I’ve become a great problem solver! Are there days that it makes my life a little harder and I have to fight to survive a little more? Absolutely! There ARE days I hate it. But I also get to lean on those who share my experiences on these days.

I can’t say that I have always had this attitude towards my life with T1D. I’ve had my moments where diabetes burnout was so real and right in front of my face. I had my moments where checking my glucose more than once a day seemed impossible. When I would wear a site for far too long or sit with an empty cartridge for a little longer than I should because I was just mentally drained. I didn’t recognize what it was back then, or what to even call it. But, even those experiences taught me things about myself. More importantly, diabetes camp gave me the friends, connections, and tools to get through and out of the burnout stage. And each time I go through burnout – because it unfortunately is not a one and done event with a chronic condition – I learn more ways to work through it. My favorite way? Bonding with my fellow diabesties at my favorite diabetes camp in the world: Camp Kudzu.

The past 25 years have brought so much change and technological advancements in the diabetes world and in my life. I remember my first insulin pump that was basically a small, portable IV pump. No carb ratios or correction factors programmed in, all calculations were done manually by the user. My first CGM nearly had me running for the hills with the manual plunger and collar to retract, I made my roommate insert it for me most of the time! And now my iLet does pretty much everything itself and has super sophisticated algorithms that run it, and my CGM inserts with the touch of a button. There are so many more insulin options and pump options and even CGM options out there that makes it easier to tailor diabetes to my lifestyle.

Diabetes education has always been my goal and my passion. Even when I was in elementary school, I would talk to anyone about my diabetes who would listen, and sometimes, to those who weren’t necessarily listening, but I thought they needed a little mini education tidbit. The latter usually occurred from the result of being told I “shouldn’t eat that.” I doubt they ever made that comment again! After 25 years of thriving with diabetes, over 7 years as a registered nurse, and countless hours volunteering at diabetes camp, I finally made that dream a reality with the CDCES credential and have transitioned to career related to that. I’m beyond excited to provide the support that I was given by those in my early days with diabetes to those living with diabetes in my new position as a CDCES.

I can only imagine what the next 25 years will hold!