Have you ever questioned WHY you've been dealt the cards you have? How do you cope with life-changing news? Will you make lemonade out of lemons or allow yourself to fall into a downward spiral? What does that process of self-discovery look like? Meet Ariel Lawrence. Ariel has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 12 years. She's the creator of Just a Little Suga', a personal blog with an expansive focus, seeking to shed light on the experiences of individuals of color and marginalized communities affected by diabetes. By sharing her story, and highlighting other folks of color coping with and tackling diabetes, she's building community focused on living well. Ultimately, her goal is to motivate herself and others to be resilient in the face of diabetes AND enlighten the friends/families of diabetes so they can better support them.

Whether you know someone who is affected by diabetes or not - Ariel's transparency and vulnerability about her story and why she is so committed to embracing her calling and building community is inspiring. As dream drivers - learning about the ways our dreams can empower those who need it the most can be transformational.

ON THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: - Paying attention to the signs our body gives us - Getting diagnosed with diabetes at age 15 - The difference between Type 1 & Type II Diabetes - Early challenges - Ariel's grandmother and HER diabetes story - Why Ariel decided to start her own diabetes community for people of color - The power of consistency - Therapy's impact on Ariel's life - Advocating For & Putting Yourself First - Vulnerability - Dealing with competitors...and more

Join in on the conversation on social (@dreamsindrive) and make sure to use the hashtag #dreamsindrive. Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES: www.dreamsindrive.com/ariel-lawrence

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• American Diabetes Association
• T1 International
• International Diabetes Federation
• Diabetes Strong
• Beyond Type 1
• Tu Diabetes
• DiabetesMine (via HealthLine)
• Insulin Nation
• DLife

BOOKS MENTIONED

• Diabetes Burnout: What to Do When You Can't Take It Anymore
• Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution
• Think Like a Pancreas
• 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People With Diabetes

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