Andrew Nielson

Two months before I turned 12 I started experiencing relentless thirst and fatigue. My parents, both nurses, knew something was wrong when I lost so much weight that even a belt couldn’t keep my pants up. I’d been trying to hide my symptoms—I hated hospitals—but eventually, they took me to our family pediatrician. A quick diagnosis followed, and within hours of my first insulin injection, I started feeling like myself again.

Shortly after my diagnosis, I found support through a classmate who had been living with diabetes since infancy. That connection helped me adjust, but I never let diabetes define or limit me. I stayed active—I was a Boy Scout, went on two high-adventure backpacking trips in the Rockies, and swam competitively in high school.

Even so, I was hesitant to adopt diabetes tech. For years, I resisted using a pump or CGM. It wasn’t until after college that I finally tried a CGM, and eventually made the switch to a pump too. Looking back, I’m glad I did—they’ve made life with diabetes more manageable.

Living with diabetes can be challenging, but for me, it’s become second nature. It’s not who I am—it’s just a part of me. And I want others to know: you’re not alone, and this condition doesn’t have to hold you back.