Pumping The Cure For Diabetes

Day 6 of #DiabetesAwarenessMonth - Here comes my diagnosis story. April 1, 2003, commonly known as April Fools’ Day, was the day I was diagnosed with #type1diabetes. I was 8 years old and lived in Caracas, Venezuela. For the previous few months, I had been getting extremely sick at school: headaches, thirstiness, stomachaches, dizziness I would call my mom to pick me up from school on a daily basis. My mom had realized my weight was also dramatically changing; I was losing... so much weight that she decided to take me to the hospital to get some blood work done. After all, she was familiar with the symptoms of #t1d, as it runs in my family. After leaving the hospital on the morning of April 1, 2003, my life was going to be completely different. At first unfamiliar and scary, these experiences with needles and the #glucometer became commonplace, and slowly but surely, ended up being a regular part of my life. I was off from school for a couple of weeks. I felt very sad and lonely, not understanding what #diabetes was. I would always ask my family, Why me?. It was very hard to deal with something so serious at such a young age. Getting back to school was extremely tough. I had to quit all of my extra curricular activities - gymnastics, music and dance - as I was unfamiliar with diabetes management. It was hard to deal with kids making fun of me and bullying me for having diabetes. It was by far one of the hardest times in my life. Since I was so young, my mom decided to send me to @fadi_venezuela camp, a summer camp that was only for #diabetic children. It was a place where every kid had diabetes and we could relate to one another. It was a place where we were taught how to control our diabetes and how to count #carbohydrates. It was a place where I felt welcomed and ‘normal’. I was a completely different person the day I returned home from this camp. I was confident in controlling my own diabetes, taking my own needles, and counting my own carbs. Diabetes was no longer controlling me, but I began controlling my diabetes.

FRIENDS: It's day 1 of #DiabetesAwarenessMonth! It's been 17 years of daily #glucose control: ~7 #insulin shots/needles a day, constant glucose checking (more needles), and lots of lows & highs. I have gotten used to this being my every day life (as have you!) and could not imagine my life without being a #t1d. I am thankful for this journey as it's made me 100x more responsible. It has given me the chance to meet incredible #diabuddies that I talk with nearly every day. Tha...nk you all for your constant support - WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER! Visit www.pumpingthecure.ca for more information on diabetes. - - Here is a little bit about myself: My name is Maria Alejandra but everyone calls me Malala. I am 26 years old and have been living with #diabetes for 17 years, being diagnosed at 8 years old. I am originally from Venezuela but I now live in #Canada, very close to #Toronto! A fun fact about me is that my mom was diagnosed with #type1diabetes a couple of years after I was. She is now my diabuddy! Tell me a little bit about yourself below, I’d love to meet new people in the community! . . . . . #diabetesawareness #type1diabetic #diabetic #t1dlookslikeme #t1dawareness #t1diabetes #awarenessmonth #cgm #bloodsugar #dexcom #diabuddy #likesforlikes #likes4likes #diabeticproblems #diabeticlife #lifewithdiabetes #november #type1warrior #diabadass #dexcomg6 #myabetic

Happy April Fools! Although we’re all currently going through a hard situation together - and it feels like this day has lasted for a month now - 17 years ago was the day I was diagnosed with #t1d. With only eight years old, I was forced to change my lifestyle and learn to live with an illness that I knew nothing about. April fools joke? Unfortunately, no. I definitely felt very alone (and still do sometimes), but I am hopeful that we will beat #diabetes together one day. As you all know, getting sick can be very dangerous for diabetics. Times like these are scary for those who are chronically ill. #Stayhome and stay safe everyone. It will get better. #happydiaversary

Hi friendsI hope you have all been well! I have been inactive on this account for the past few months and a lot has happened. My diabetes control has gotten better since I started using my @dexcom, but unfortunately I am in the midst of having a #hashimotosdisease flare up. It’s been hard to deal with but I am staying positive and will be seeing some endocrinologists in the next couple of months. How have you been?!

Wishing I was in Miami with my best friend @imazzal without a care in the world! How cold is it currently where you live?

Today we celebrate you, my absolute best friend. I miss you more than ever. Days aren’t as joyful any more because you’re no longer with us. You were there for me through my highs and lows and always came to me when I had low blood sugars. Some days you were even the reason I realized I was low. I love you more than ever, you are the greatest friend I could have ever had and I am so thankful you were a part of my life for 13 years. Te amo mi toris #happyfirstbirthday in heaven