Melissa Quinn

I was diagnosed when I was seven and what I can recall from that time was my mom crying really hard and me learning how to inject oranges and then myself with insulin. My dad was a type 1 diabetic as well so I had that on my side as I started my journey. I remember going to diabetes camp as a kid. It was incredible learning that I wasn’t the only one dealing with this disease. As a high schooler I started hating having diabetes and I just wanted to be normal. I took horrible care of myself and basically lived as though I was a non-diabetic. As I continued to grow and learn I realized that this disease was forever (or until they come up with a cure) and that I was the only one who could take control and live a very normal life. I have developed gastroparesis and have had multiple surgeries to release trapped nerves but other than that I am perfectly healthy. At 45 nothing makes me happier than when I get my a1C back and it is still in the 6s and when I get a clean bill of health for my eyes and feet. I still call my mom after every endo appointment to tell her the great news. I’m not one of those diabetics who are thankful about getting this disease because it made them healthier but I am thankful for it making me stronger in the face of adversity. I’m 38 years in and have no doubt that I will continue to get A+ report cards as I live my life as a type 1 diabetic.