Melody Maltby

An excerpt from a project I did on T1D during the first few months after my diagnosis:

“I have my good days where I can go about my day and feel like myself, and I have my days where I stay up late at night screaming and crying and not being able to understand why this had to happen to me. I have lost people I thought were close to me because MY diabetes was going to be inconvenient for them.

There needs to be more awareness on the depression that comes hand-in-hand that comes along with Type 1 Diabetes, and the amount of effort it takes a Type 1 diabetic to get through just one day. Sometimes being diagnosed feels like I was handed a death sentence. Even on those days though, I get to look the grim reaper in the face and remind him and myself that I am not done winning the fight.”

I still have days where I struggle. Sleepless nights where my blood sugar refuses to raise, wanting and needing a break from it all, and hospital visits that have taken from me physically, mentally and emotionally. But I have come to realize that my illness can also be a super power if I let it be. Instead of letting it drag me down, I remember all that my illness has given instead of taken from me.

I can’t wait to see what else my diabetes will teach me in the next 10 years.