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