On this episode we get to know Jaime. She was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at 18 years old, 10 years ago.

Before her own diagnosis she didn't know about Type One Diabetes. It was during spring break when she was diagnosed after getting very skinny and urinating a lot.

She also had a sinus infection where blood was coming out of her nose. During the middle of the night, it was noticed that she was struggling to gasp for air, similar to an anxiety attack. Even after coming down by

doing breathing exercises, it would come back. Eventually she went for a drive, passed out and woke up in a hospital with tubes down her throat in DKA and then went into a coma.

Only recently in Spring 2024 was she introduced to a CGM, and she now uses Dexcom.

Because of the pandemic in 2020 she really started learning about diabetes. Her dad lived with Type 2 and transitioned in 2014. Jaime got her diagnosis in March, her father passed in June.

Jaime talks about how in certain communities that since diabetes is so prevalent it's not taken as serious.

As a photographer Jaime started in fashion and editorials then switched to documentaries. She feels like the meaning of life has changed for her and now she's motivated her to be better and do better so she can fulfill her life's purpose.

⁠Dear Felicia, Jaime's T1D Story ⁠

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⁠Jaime's 10 year Diaversary⁠

⁠Vintage Soul Photography⁠

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I had so many title changes for this episode but this one stick because today, Crystal is changing the world!

Crystal's journey begins in Southern California. She was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at 18, right before high school graduation. This new diagnosis of T1D changed her life and aided in her career path so that she could change

what she saw in the health care system.

Before her diagnosis her government teacher called her the bathroom girl because this class was right after lunch and she would always need to go to the bathroom, not knowing that she was living with T1D.

When discharged from hospital she went to a pharmacy, and they told her that her insulin pens weren't covered. That moment told her that this was going to be a hard journey.

Crystal graduated college in 3 years from UC Davis with her BS in Global Disease Biology where she did research projects on T1d young adults. Recently she was accepted to Stanford U PA School and is the first person in her family to pursue medicine and go to grad school.

In college she got involved with CDN (College Diabetes Network) and linked with CWD (Children With Diabetes) Being at conferences and meeting other diabetics gave her confidence and even helped in lowering her A1C 3 points

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CWD

On this episode, you will hear from Michelle.

Michelle was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant with her only child in 2004. In 2005, she was misdiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which was later confirmed as Type 1. After a tumor led to the removal of part of her pancreas, she was diagnosed with Type 3C. Michelle has truly faced a life full of diabetes!

Born in the Caribbean, Michelle is of Trinidadian and Grenadian heritage. Her family immigrated to the US in 1997. Despite living in New York City, a melting pot rich in Caribbean culture, she experienced significant discrimination as a 16-year-old.

After high school, Michelle pursued her dreams by joining the US Navy, a career she loved until the birth of her son. Following her diagnosis, she had to leave the Navy, a life she cherished. However, as Michelle says, "There's a meaning and reason behind everything." This allowed her to focus on her greatest love: watching her son grow and reach his developmental milestones. She has no resentment about leaving the military and now works for the federal government in another role.

Michelle enjoys her solitude. During her early diagnosis, she didn't prioritize managing her diabetes, as her attention was on raising her child and rebuilding her life after leaving the Navy. Her focus was solely on her baby and starting over.

Follow Michelle on Instagram. Michelle, we sincerely thank you for your service and dedication to keeping us safe.

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Calling Dr. Donn! Diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at just 12 years old in 2002, Donn grew up in North Philly with his mom, twin sisters, his own twin sister, aunt, and cousin. "We grew up ghetto fabulous!" he says, reflecting on a childhood rich in love despite humble beginnings. Summers were spent in Georgia with family, and it was during one of these trips to rural Augusta that his aunt noticed how thin he had gotten. A hospital visit led to his T1D diagnosis.

After high school, Donn took a leap of faith, betting on himself and his future. Now pursuing a PhD in Strategic Communications, he focuses on supporting male victims, particularly Black men. A gym enthusiast and lover of the outdoors, Donn stays grounded thanks to his friends and family.

In early 2020, just before the pandemic, Donn received his first insulin pump and CGM training from Dexcom, a company that provided invaluable support as he became more public about his diabetes journey. Those early struggles shaped him, fostering a drive fueled by childhood days spent playing tag and sitting on the stoop.

Join us for a journey through life and education with Nandi.

Nandi was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at the age of 7 while in the 1st grade. Managing diabetes was a challenging experience for her from Elementary to Middle School, but things improved when she got an insulin pump in High School.

As a child, she attended Camp Kudzu, where she not only learned more about her diabetes but also found a supportive community. At 16, she even became a counselor there.

After high school, Nandi attended Spelman College. Upon graduating, she taught 6th-8th grade English in Houston, TX.

Her education journey didn’t stop there. She moved to NYC, became a Dean of Students in Brooklyn, earned her master’s from Columbia University, and later served as an assistant principal.

More recently, Nandi returned home and is now preparing to open her own 6-12th grade Charter School, The Simple Vue Academy, set to launch in 2025 @thesimplevueacademy.

School: https://www.thesimplevueacademy.org/

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On this episode you will hear from the artist known as Shani.

Shani was diagnosed with t1d at 3 years young. She has now been living with diabetes for 23 years.

Early on her mom did not want her to mention having diabetes at all. Therefore, Shani would leave test strips around so that people would as questions.

Shani went to school for digital media and loves research and archive research. With that she wants to create a series about diabetes and the connections and

different factors in different perspectives of living with diabetes

Today we invite you into the world of Khadija.

Khadija was diagnosed with Congenital Hyperinsulinism. Her pancreas over produced insulin, yes over produced meaning it was making too much!

At 4 mos old she got 95% of her pancreas removed. A pancreatomy. She used a a nasal feeding tube until 2 years old

Over the years her 5% remaining pancreas produced insulin;

From that day forward her life has been identical to someone living with type one diabetes. Her body still produces the remaining enzymes.

Follow Khadijah on instagram

On this episode you will hear from Jourdan.

Via social media you can find Jourdan the food blogger and sharing her lifestyle

Currently she resides in the Atlanta area.

Jourdan was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at the age of 18, 12 years ago during her freshmen year of college

On her father's side there's a lot of Type 2 Diabetics.

She believes that a traumatic incident that occurred in college did impede her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. During diagnosis the doctors didn't know how it was that she was still functioning.

Early on Jourdan tried to ignore it, hide it and act as though she didn't have diabetes. Her parents requested her to text her blood sugars.

She acknowledges that as a young adult it did take hearing from someone beyond her care team and parents tell her the risks of diabetes and getting access to a CGM and pump helped

Maybe it did take someone outside of her parents

It wasn't until she wanted to take care of her bloods sugar could the change really happen, no matter how much her parents wanted to help her. Not until she was ready to make the change

Today Jourdan is living her absolute best in life, love and

pursuing her dreams.

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On this episode you will hear from Adrianne. She is the most amazing gift of life and light! You will feel this gift during the duration of our conversation


Adrianne was misdiagnosed with T2D at the age of 22. She actually received this diagnosis via email. Once she shared the email with her friend, they both were surprised!


This diagnoses truly was overwhelming. Not only did Adrianne drop out of school but she also was dealt a mental and emotional toll that was too heavy at the time.


Although life altering and a traumatic experience, her diabetes diagnosis was needed. Before this diagnosis she felt so ill, did lose a ton of weight and was just horrified of the possibilities.



Adrianne confesses that she is a perfectionist. Diabetes is something she can never perfect. Her story is a journey of accepting herself how she is and how she'll never be a perfect diabetic, and she doesn't need to be.

She reminds herself that she is doing something so difficult every day and she is excelling! 


Every day is an achievement! Her story is a journey of self-acceptance while resisting the urge to be perfect. 


Follow Adrianne on instagram Adriannes_here

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On this episode you will hear from Shay

Shay has been living with T1D for 17 years, diagnosed at the age of 8.

Living with T1D has greatly helped her with her independence and as she has advanced in education throughout her life.

Currently Shay is a Doctor of Health Science student at The Campbell University and a clinical research professional. She graduated with her Bachelor's and her Master's from UNCW in 2020 and 2023 (she graduated high school at 16)

Shay is big on diabetes advocacy and research and loves to connect with community. Before diagnosis she used to spend great times with her mom going to restaurants

getting Sweat Tea.

She Has a great family history of Diabetes,

On her mother's side her grandfather and his brother both have diabetes and her great grandfather and all 12 of his siblings have diabetes.

Shay's mom spotted her diagnosis from signs similar to her own grandfather and then demanded her child to be seen.

Shay wanted to be in the field that she's in because as she says, "not only is it important to work in it but it's important to come back and educate in it."

Follow Shay on instagram ShayD1T