Sarah Austin

I was diagnosed at age seven while in the second grade. It was 1984, so there was no medical technology in existence yet to help manage this challenging, incredibly difficult disease. It was multiple daily injections and the old Chem Strips that needed a drop of blood and would turn a different color to match the colors on the label to indicate if my blood sugar was high, low or in range. Very vague compared to today’s technology with an exact number and whether it is still rising, still falling, how fast or if it was steady. Good luck treating on a guess! My parents raised me to believe that I could do anything that other kids can do and to never use this disease as an excuse for anything. So grateful for that! I went to every sleepover/slumber party and to Girl Scout camp and I knew how to be responsible and manage it mostly by myself. I did have wonderful girlfriends that knew how to help me if needed and they did a great job saving me a couple times. I was such a lucky little girl despite being dealt this card. I was basically told by medical professionals, strangers and even uninformed family members/friends/associates my entire childhood that I would either be dead by age 40 or would be blind, need kidney dialysis, have toes and legs amputated, you name it, it was going to happen if I didn’t eat right and take care of myself. Such a horrible message to be repeatedly pounded into a child. However it must have somehow motivated me to do exactly that – TAKE CARE OF MYSELF! I am now 48 years old and I am in amazing health! I exercise almost every day and I love it, I still look and feel amazing!! No complications yet, fingers crossed. this has been an incredible journey and I am stronger for it. I win! Final score = Sarah – 1, Type 1 Diabetes – 0