I should be dead, not once but twice I had a brush with death. I had a Hypo to the point of having a seizure. Once should be enough to scare someone straight – but no I ignored it. A month later it happened again. That’s when I realized that if I did not get my diabetes and my life under control I would not live to see that Christmas. In January 2004 I changed. It took a split second to realize that I wanted to live and in order to do that I needed to get healthy.

Over the past few years since that scary day I have run 4 marathons, 5 or 6 triathlons, I lost 25 pounds and have had the biggest adventures and best life. Once I made a simple change of eating better other things started to change, I started exercising and once I started improving my life I realized I had to quit the horrible job I was working in. I went back to school to fulfil my dream of getting my art degree. Not only did I do that but I went on to get my Masters and then moved to Australia to do my PhD. While there I met my soul mate – we got married this July.

If I had died I would have missed the most fantastic life. It only started after I decided to change. I realized that finishing a marathon is so much better than cheese cake, losing weight is much better than sitting on the couch watching TV, travelling is more exciting that living at home watching others do it.

Dreams do come true – but you have to get off the couch to get them.

Amy Zurrer
Type 1 diabetic – diagnosed 1983 – age 5

Gareth was diagnosed at 6 years old, and is now 12! He now uses an insulin pump and counts the carbs in everything he eats. He test his blood sugar every time he wants to eat. He is trying to be responsible and look after himself, and he is such a brave soul!!! He is my champion for life!!!!

Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just two months ago. Turning 12 years old can be hard enough, let alone having diabetes to worry about. Sarah is my champion because everyday she handles this challenging time with such courage, patience and grace. I thank God everyday for Sarah, and for the discovery of insulin!

Hanna was diagnosed a week before her 6th birthday. Her life had quickly turned from carefree Sunday ice cream desserts to needles, blood tests and multiple daily finger pokes. After 5 months of living with this, I overheard her asking her older sister if she would still be happy if she had diabetes…Her sister promptly answered `no`…
A few days later (and obviously after a lot of reflecting on the issue) Hanna told me that although she has diabetes, she is still happy because she has her family…
She is and will always be my hero.

Oct 19th,2011 I decided to turn my life around. I started an exercise and diet routine. I eat more fruit and vegetables than normal. I try to keep the bulk of my intake to plant based foods. I aquafit 5 times a week and walk occasionally. I am only just over 3 weeks into it but have been able to reduce my insulin to almost nothing. My #s are almost perfect. I challenged myself on Facebook to lose 100 lbs. I am on my way. I feel great. I have a great support team including my friends a the The Diabetic Center at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital. I encourage all to seek out the Diabetic Center in their area for assistance. They are my professionals and so helpful. I love life and all it has to offer. I just want to be around for my fair share of it and my Grandchildren love their Grandma!

The Hope Lions Club draws awareness to World Diabetes Day by wearing blue every year.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes about 6 months ago, on May 9, 2011. The first dose of insulin was administered on the 11th, and I met for the first time with the dietician, nurse technician, and endocrinologist on the 13th of May. This all occurred about one week after writing the last final exam of my second (of third) year at Humber College, for Sustainable Energy and Building Technology. I am 26 years old.

The initial diagnosis was quite the shock. I had been feeling unwell for at least a few months, and I am now embarrassed to admit that until my parents noticed how much weight I had lost, I had no idea that anything was wrong. I blamed the lethargy and weakness on a lack of sleep, or a lot of school work and stress; and the constant thirst was a natural sign that I wasn’t drinking enough water for my level of activity. In hindsight, I was on the verge of diabetic ketoacidosis all the while studying, preparing, and writing six final exams and projects. I maintained my 90% average.

After being diagnosed, I was very sad. The constant, uncontrollable crying persisted for only a few days, and about three or four days after D-day, I was happy again. In fact, I was very happy. I don’t know what it was, but I was already proud of my diabetes by then. Whoever I told about the -betes immediately wished their apologies and best for my newfound disease, but I would smile, thank them, and tell them it is a blessing in disguise. I am now much healthier than ever before.

I exercise, practice yoga regularly, and am embracing a rewarding (and pre-diabetes) vegan diet. In fact, there have been quite a few meals that I managed a zero insulin dose. This was done by introducing more raw foods into my diet and by maintaining healthy physical activity. Veganism has truly been THE diabetes diet for me, and I am happy to spread the message of food as medicine.

In addition, carb counting and insulin dosing became somewhat of a hobby for my partner, Katelin, and I. We’ve made it a game. In fact, SHE is the real champion. With her help, diabetes has been extremely manageable, and within a month of diagnosis we were travelling Europe together, and even went on a 10-day canoe trip through Algonquin: with no (serious) problems.

My A1C went from 20% upon diagnosis to a remarkable 5.7% only 3 months later. Dr. Silver is my champion; Margaret and Lucia are my champions; my parents, Tsvi and Lee Ann are my champions; and Katelin is my champion. Lastly, I can’t overlook that I am my own champion for taking this supposed setback in stride, with a smile on my face, and pride in my heart.

I have faith that anyone presented with this seemingly lifestyle-ending disease can manage, maintain, and even flourish, assuming the will and support are present. That first day or two after diagnosis were dark days, in which everything seemed hopeless. Now, life is good. Life is great. And to be honest, I have Type 1 Diabetes to thank for it.

I am the mother of two chidren who were daignosed within a year of each other, (type 1) I call them both my Champions, they are both very good with their condition, dealing with it evey day as best possible. My son is on the pump, and my daughter has chosen to do injections every day. I can honestly say it is not easy, but they treat each day as any other normal child would, yet they have to make time for blood readings, insulin dosage and counting their carbs, again all in a day of trying to be normal. we are having a coffee morning here on Monday at our house for World Diabetes Day and people are coming to join us for a cup of coffee and cake, and will be donating to a good cause. we have printed information for people to read and explain to them the differnece in the two types of Diabetes, we will also offer to check their sugars, just so they can experience what a Diabetic does each day. I am very proud of my two children as at times I know it isnt easy, but they both know there are people worse off in life than they are. May Thanks Evelyn.

This November 12, 2011 marks my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I was supposed to go out to celebrate my birthday which is November 13 but couldn’t. I spent that night, a year ago, in the ER as doctors and nurses tried to safely lower my blood sugar, which was at 31 that night, as well as explain to me what diabetes was and how my life will change. I remember the emotions and the feelings of shock, sadness and fear. Being numb is how I felt the whole night and into the next day. I felt like I was standing in a pool with the water flowing over my head, couldn’t breathe and couldn’t get to the surface. They told me it was a disease, my mind thinks of a disease as being sick and I did not feel sick. That denial was the ugliest and one of the most important stages of life I have ever had.

A year now past and I’m still Angelica. I cannot believe the amount of information I have learned which allows me to live a healthier lifestyle that isn’t as restricted as I once thought. It was difficult learning all of this, mostly on my own, since I live away from my parents, was 20 years old at the time, living with my younger brother, and having to deal with a major lifestyle change. I still get overwhelmed, angry, sad and fearful but I feel like I am moving in the right direction towards one day accepting my diabetes. I still see my nurse, dietitian, social worker and endo but I feel so much more confident about my diabetes.

That confidence was confirmed one day when I went to a walk-in because of a dance related injury. I had done some blood work as well as x-rays and ultrasounds of my leg. When looking at my blood work, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other things, the doctor told me I was a text-book example of a healthy person and I started laughing. I asked if she knew I was a type 1 diabetic. She looked up from her clipboard with a puzzled look on her face and shook her head. She told me she was very impressed and couldn’t believe despite having this disease I was healthier than people who are free of disease.

I continue to educate myself about the disease as well as the research and innovation that is coming about. While learning, I found out World Diabetes Day is the day after my birthday and November is Diabetes Month and I was diagnosed on the 12th. It is amazing that I was born and now live in the city, Toronto, which was the birthplace of insulin. Crazy how some things just fall into place like that.

My goals when it comes to my diabetes change all the time, but the over arching goal is to keep myself healthy so I can continue enjoying life and to merge my diabetes into my life and allow life and diabetes to co-exist and not trump each other. That to me seems like a healthy, balanced lifestyle

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 5 in Malaysia, a year before we left for Vancouver. It was such a shock to all of our friends and family since this disease is generally unheard of. In Malaysia, the only people who suffer from diabetes are mainly old and overweight. Unfortunately, I was the unlucky exception. Living with diabetes hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park, but yet everyday I’m still here, alive and well. It’s always hard to achieve balance with my blood sugars, especially if I’m doing an activity that’s out of my daily routine. Nevertheless, I don’t allow my condition to hinder me from doing what I want to do.