Madison Hargett
My journey started in 2001, at the young age of 4. I was diagnosed on December 26, the day after Christmas. I don’t remember much about the first couple of years of being diabetic, but I do remember the fear in my parents eyes as they watched their little girl get poked and prodded with too many needles to count. I remember the look of “our lives are about to change forever.” I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital that night, with a blood sugar of 838. I only weighed 28 pounds. I was so sleepy, but so thirsty. The call was made to take me to the hospital once I glanced at my mom in the kitchen and told her that she had two heads. She instantly knew something was wrong. After the initial shock set in, more and more answers came. More and more needles came with those answers. I was scared. After spending a long 30 days in the children’s hospital in Charlotte NC, I was able to go home. I went into kindergarten the following year adding and subtracting carbohydrates, using a sliding scale, calculating my blood sugar, and refusing to let teachers administer my insulin because I knew where they hurt less. Fast forward many years, and today I’m 27 years old and more independent than ever. I’d like to think that has a lot to do with becoming diabetic at such a young age. One thing everyone always says when they learn of my diagnosis is “I couldn’t do that, that must be terrible.” My response is always the same- “I think I’m blessed to have something so minor.” Anyone who has T1D knows that it isn’t minor, but in the grand scheme of things, it really is. I can live my life every single day as normal as everyone else can. Diabetes can’t stop me from being who I am. After all, it is a part of who I am. On the bad days, I remember that I’m so much stronger because of the day after Christmas in 2001. I am a daughter. I am a mother. I am a fiancé. I am a full time Veterinary Student. I am Type 1 Diabetic. My journey with diabetes has taught me many things. But the most important thing it has taught me is how strong I really am.
since 2001
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