Neo (Nayo) comes to us all the way from The Freestate, South Africa.

Neo was diagnosed with T1D 6 years ago at 15. When she was diagnosed, it was the first time she had ever heard of Type One Diabetes.

Now Neo is an advocate for T1D. During our conversation she speaks heavily about how difficult it is for people to understand what living with diabetes is because they can't resonate with it unless they are actually living with it. And when people say things such as, if they had to use insulin they would die. Neo tells them, you will need to learn how to survive!

When she was first diagnosed it was near impossible to explain it to her peers because she didn't understand it. Many people said it was because of witchcraft or someone hating her family that she was diagnosed with diabetes. She had to constantly explain to people that believed in those things that it wasn't like that. Her peers thought she was making up stories because they had never heard of the intricacies of T1D and this made Neo hide it then. Some classmates thought she was taking drugs.

Neo wishes that medical systems share that it is a norm and not taboo to be diagnosed with Type One Diabetes.

Now that she is knowledgeable, she asks, "How did we miss this?" At the time of diagnosis, she was drinking a lot of water and staying inside when she hated water and would normally spend all her time outside with friends.

Now that she owns her diagnosis and shares it some people complain about her talking about diabetes too much, even though she has already explained, it is something we cannot turn off.

Neo says how for some people they have their own perceived understanding of what diabetes is and when we try to explain it, they still will be argumentized.

For Neo it's almost like her diagnosis was her parents' diagnosis. She remembers how involved they were in her care and looking out for her well-being.

Neo lives by the saying, "God doesn't give us hurdles that we cannot conquer and God chooses his best and greatest soldiers to fight his battles."

Follow Neo on Instagram and learn more about living with T1D in Freestate, South Africa @pabii_moffat

In episode, we feature Dr. Nicole Videla, EdD. instagram.com/nikovid3la/

Dr Nikki is a mother, wife, and an educator in higher education in the New York area for over 17 years. Recently, Dr. Nikki and family relocated from New York to Charlotte.

Dr Nikki was diagnosed with Type Diabetes 10 years ago at the age of 33. Initially misdiagnosed, she was unaware of the signs of diabetes. Before her diagnosis, she held many stereotypes about diabetes, only to realize she lacked a true understanding of the condition and its implications.

During this conversation, we explore various aspects of life, including how managing diabetes has become second nature while prioritizing her family remains essential. Even while nursing her children as infants, she found ways to multitask despite experiencing low blood sugar levels.

At the start of her diagnosis, she took an isolated approach, considering it solely her health and her disease. Gradually she learned more about diabetes and began involving her family in her care. It was after the birth of her son that she started exploring advancements in technology.

Being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 33 was entirely unexpected and took significant effort for her to accept. Today, she not only lives with Type One Diabetes but thrives with.

Follow Dr. Nicole Videla on Instagram at instagram.com/nikovid3la/

@chronicallywillpodcast Season 2, Episode 75, Bags of Fun w/ @ladadiabeticb
Betsy lives with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) Type 1.5 diabetes.
Betsy was originally misdiagnosed at age 22 in 2008. Betsy has been conquering T1D (LADA) for 17 years!
At the time of diagnosis, she was playing competitive soccer.
Betsy admires young people that live with diabetes and their prowess with sharing their diabetes technology. Betsy loves sharing memes & just funny things about living with diabetes.

Follow Betsy on instagram @ladadiabeticb

First thing first, there are barriers for everyone living with T1D to be their best. Imagine this, with modern

technology and medicine you were able to view how people across the world managed T1D but you and the community you serve every single day are fighting, struggling, traveling afar on foot and by bike to not only get the insulin you

need but to also give insulin to other warriors in need. This is life with T1D in Uganda and these warriors are more than proud to be able to aid others in just living life. This is why Ivan smiles. "It is a badge of honor to live

with Type One Diabetes."--Ivan

Ivan at 16 started feeling thirsty and losing weight and told his school nurse about the frequent urination, she told him to go drink more water. That lasted for 4 weeks and then he was in and out of the hospital. That Birthed a lawyer that is passionate about T1D!

In this conversation Ivan talks about how in rural areas some people with T1D go missing because families can't afford

to care for T1D. Families can't afford to care for children with T1D and it being a great burden.

Get to know Ivan @moivanivan

A great challenge is for people that were diagnosed as kids, the people that make the decisions in healthcare that have

seen you grow up as a child they still see you as a child and you aren't often given the opportunity to speak as an

advocate because you are still seen as a child. With Ivan being a lawyer and advocate he is able to speak up and share

how young people with diabetes feel and their needs.

Earl steps up to the mic from Cape Town, South Africa!

Earl is a self-taught musician (from keys, to strings etc.) and came of age during the greatest era of hip hop and at a time in South Africa there were many messages in music around oppression and apartheid and such. Earl is a hip-hop head.

Earl was diagnosed with T1D in 2012 at the age of 26 while in the U.S. He is a husband, a cat-dad and the youngest of 3.

Earl works in Public Health with a primary focus is infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, violent injuries and

HIV/AIDS.

When Earl was diagnosed at 26 it changed the full trajectory of his life. Leading up to his diagnosis Earl recalls noticing

three months prior that he was getting low symptoms. He realized while working a few hours after breakfast he would

get shaky and start to sweat until he would eat. After that stopped, he started getting all the signs of hyperglycemia

such as the frequent urination, itchy skin, irritation etc.

Four days before leaving for the US he was pulled over

for driving erratic. He just felt mad all the time before his formal diagnosis. The cop left him with a warning.

On this episode Earl gifts us some light on how things are around the globe and healthcare programs. We also speak greatly about our ancestors and our heritage and culture.

Earl's greatest advice about living with T1D is, "Don't live in isolation!"

Follow Earl on Instagram @Earl952

On this episode we get to hear from Bernetta @bernettastyle

Bernetta is a wife of 21 years and the mother to 3 amazing children.

Bernetta was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes 10 years ago at 38.

She is a graduate of Alabama State with a degree in Marketing and is a

content creator that has worked with Disney and Steve Harvey. Bernetta is also a published author and founder of a nonprofit. Her nonprofit, Knighten Project provides foster children with brand new suitcases filled with essentials as they transition into adulthood.

Bernetta speaks candidly about going through depression after living 38 years without T1D, having a family and career and then how in one moment all of that changed.

Bernetta also talks about the need for medical personnel to give newly diagnosed adults the opportunity to be their best from day one instead of us having to learn everything through trial and error. Everyone diagnosed deserves the same attention to their diagnosis.

What motivates Bernetta most in her T1D journey is her children, being able to see them go to college, grow and just push her to be her best. Our conversation is full of love as we dive in to how our children are one thing that goes even ahead of our T1D care.

Get to know Bernetta and follow her @bernettastyle

On this episode we continue our travels around the world and visit Delhi, India to have a chat with Anurati. Anurati was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at the young age of 15, almost 12 years ago.

Today you can follow Anurati as she journals her life living with T1D over Instagram.

Anurati works as a counseling psychologist in the T1D community. She also manages multiple social media accounts. One of her greatest joys is her love for Art in all aspects.

Her life truly changed at 15. She had no previous knowledge of T1D and in one day her life changed completely. Her maternal grandmother lived with T2D. She couldn't believe that she was sick now and forever. This new life was scary for her, and she would express herself by only crying because she had no idea about this condition.

Anurati expresses how she is who she is today because of that diagnosis.

Anurati also thanks the T1D community for coming through for her at times in need and because she has met some of her best friends because of her diagnosis of Type One Diabetes.

Anurati wants people to know that living with T1D although it is difficult, it is not impossible.

Anurati loves life!

Toni calls in from China. Toni has lived in China now for 6 years. She went to China for University.

Originally from the Bahamas Toni was diagnosed T1D in 2013 at the age of 14.

After high school she decided to move to China knowing how easily accessible insulin is, plus she was familiar with China.

Her grandfather is from China. Toni has recently turned 26. In the Bahamas all diabetes care supplies are 100% covered until 18 and if you are in school you are covered until 26. In China she must see her endocrinologist every month.

Toni speaks about seeing the relationships with China and the US (brother/sister) and how when Obama was in office

how great it was but today it is not.

In December 2019, Toni left on the last flight out from China to the Bahamas. She did not know that it was the last flight out. There were no regulations at the time. Then she heard of the "China Flu" and Covid came, and it changed the world. When she arrived home to the Bahamas she had to quarantine for 8 days.

The way Toni was diagnosed, for her is funny looking back on it. She was in food and nutrition class and got burned.

She went to the nurse and her blood sugar was tested the nurse told her that she needed to call her mom, not wanting to concern Toni, she gave her a water bottle and asked her to walk around the school. Her mom came and rushed her to the hospital. Her blood sugar was over 600!

The age of 14 is a great transitional time for all growing young girls, for Toni it was even that much greater after being diagnosed with T1D. The great thing is that Toni had then and still has today a family and support system that stays by her side, continues to love and support her, went through every diabetes education course with her and just remained her core from day one.

Follow Toni on Instagram Type1Toni242

On this episode we travel to Miami by way of Argentina so you will hear from my good friend Evelyn. Evy was diagnosed T1D in 2003 at 9 years young.

Evy has a dog walking business and is a recent college graduate in biology!! Evy got her first pump at 9 and truly had no clue what she was doing but had to self-manage. With her mom being an immigrant from Argentina, there were great barriers in understanding the language of diabetes. Today Evy has all the diabetes hacks! She truly

has invested her time in understanding her management and learning her diabetes.

Evy speaks greatly about how we should all know and have an understanding of the basics in diabetes care, even without technology. Evy recalls as a kid having to be the translator between her mom and the doctor. When her insulin pump would malfunction, even as young 9-year-old she would have to contact her diabetes care team all hours of the night trying to figure out what to do next.

In this conversation Evy and I talk about healthcare workers and proper bedside manner. We also speak about how we're not listened to when we enter medical facilities and instead, we often are forced into conversations that we did not ask for nor warrant. As Evy says, "Just show empathy," and show that the patient/client has value because we are already flustered with living with a chronic health condition.

We also speak about how culturally communities still don't understand that little 9-year-old Evy had nothing to do

with this diagnosis and how even 21 years later many still treat it as if it was and is her fault. Even as a kid she

was told that she needed to forgive to be cured of her diabetes. This put a heavy toll on Evy and her family.

Since her diagnosis her mom and her grandmom were her biggest supporters. Her grandmom would make sure that during family events there was always drinks and food options for her little Evy. Knowing that someone has your back makes it a little bit easier.

Evy is someone we should all get to know in the T1D space.

Follow her on social media

Instagram @senoritamuscles

Tiktok @senoritamuscles

@chronicallywillpodcast Season 2 Episode 68: Capital T (Trauma) & Align Your Wellness w/ @deeksha.dev_t1d
On this episode you will hear from Deeksha. Deeksha was diagnosed T1D on World Diabetes Day Nov 14, 2000, at age 4.

She is a trained Psychologist that works with People living with Diabetes, especially caregivers.
This year she started her own organization - Align Your Wellness Foundation that will focus on mental health & diabetes.
Originally, she wanted to go to school for architecture, but her brother saw something else in her. She did not initially believe him.
Eventually, she interned at the same hospital she was diagnosed in & ended up counseling a newly diagnosed T1D & his parents. Life came full circle for her.
Being diagnosed so young, Deeksha acknowledges her great support system of caregivers & how they learned & took on diabetes just as she did. This includes her parents & her brother.
In India, the most populated region in the world of people living with diabetes, there is simply not enough endocrinologists to cover the amount of people living with diabetes. Doctors are doing as much as they can in the limited time they have for each patient.
In public clinics, one might spend an entire day waiting to be seen. The discrepancy in care does go hand in hand with affordability.
Deeksha & her peer advocates are doing everything they can to get things affordable to all in India & insulin free for all.
Currently, there is a 18% tax on CGM'S as if it is a luxury when it is a necessity.
There is a current petition to remove the tax on CGM's, insulin or any consumable.
Deeksha wants everyone to know that living with T1D will be a hell of a roller coaster ride, but it isn't a bad life with diabetes, learn diabetes & don't try to
absorb all of the information at once, Community will guide you through the little phases of darkness because there is light at the end of tunnel & there's this very big garden & family that you will find support in when it comes to T1D. Worry a little, learn more.

Follow Deeksha on Instagram @deeksha.dev_t1d