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

On this episode we take a trip halfway around the world with Thando. Thando is from Johannesburg, South Africa.

She is 27 years old and was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes on November 11, 2022. She is in her toddler stages of living with T1D.

During her diagnosis she was in a coma for 2-3 days. Her grandmom knew something was wrong and was persistent that she gets checked out.

After her diagnosis her parents did want her to move back home but she decided not to because they have a different opinion on how to deal with diabetes. Plus, Thando didn't want to rely on people and chose to take the time to learn about diabetes herself. Her parents still don't understand her diabetes, how she got it or why she has to take insulin.

Being diagnosed 2 years ago has created issues in some of her relationships with loved ones. They still can't believe that

Thando at age 27 her life changed forever. It's also an awakening for her because after 27 years, everyday she's learning something new that she can't do nothing about. Thando does mourn her first 25 years of life and not having to worry about or think about diabetes. This does cause her to isolate.

Follow Thando on Instagram