I am a 34 years old and have lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 30 years. I am a Mom to 2 young boys, ages 7 and 2. My 7 year old, Tayten, is also Diabetic and was diagnosed at the age of 2. I have made it 30 years without any complications due to the strict management of my Diabetes. I am an avid runner and Triathlete. I maintain awesome blood sugar levels during my training and race days and this is because I CHOOSE to be in control and not let Diabetes control me. I set an example for my son to show himm that Diabetes should not get in the way of accomplishing your dreams and never let someone tell you “you can’t” because of your Diabetes. My motto: “Let Diabetes propel you forward, not hold you back”. He will be completing his first Triathlon in the summer of 2012 with other Diabetics from Insulin Dependence. He can’t wait to don the “Triabetes” singlet. As I was tucking him into bed one night, this past summer, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said “Mommy, I want to be just like you. You run fast, you bike hard and you swim…oh and you have the best blood sugars.” My eyes filled with tears but my heart filled with joy that I have sent the best message of all to him. Diabetes is great thing, and not a negative thing as so many think. I have educated him his whole Diabetic life on understanding and listening to his body. It will tell you how you feel if you listen to it. By the age of 6 he was already doing his pump on his own, at direction from myself, and has a high level of understanding of carbs, proteins and how they affect your blood sugars. I feel proud to be his Mom.
I have spent my whole life being an active and responsible Diabetic. I strive for great control but also remember that “I am not a pancreas, nor will I ever be, but I will do my best to be that close to one. But, I may make mistakes.”

I recently ran in a 200 mile marathon relay with 11 other Diabetics, from Blaine, WA to Whidbey Island, WA, this summer. It was so inspiring and one of the most amazing experiences to be surrounded by other Diabetics who feel the same and understand the lingo. Such a great opportunity to meet others who share the same philosophy towards Diabetes Management.
I love the opportunity to interact with Diabetics around me and I am complimented when people tell me how I have enriched their knowledge or inpired them.
I feel extremely proud to have made it 30 years, healthy and positive with Diabetes. I am proud to say “I am a Diabetic”. It is who I am and what I am about.