May 2021

Today, my life changed forever.

I was just at a dance convention, doing what I love most, but something felt off. I was SO thirsty. I went through an entire pack of water bottles and still couldn't quench my thirst. I was exhausted, and no matter what I did, I just didn't feel like myself.

I had no idea what was happening to my body.

And then I found out my blood sugar was 1,023.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It's scary to think about how serious things were and what could have happened if I had just gone to sleep that night without getting help.

I'm only 15. I'm supposed to be worrying about dance, my friends, and all the exciting things ahead of me. Instead, I'm wondering if my life will ever be the same.

Will I still be able to dance? Will my body be able to keep up with me? Will I ever feel normal again? Will I still get to chase all the dreams I've had since I was a little girl?

I'm scared that everything I've worked so hard for might suddenly be out of reach.

November 2026

Wow. If only I could go back and hug that scared 15-year-old girl and tell her how much life she still has ahead of her.

It's been five years since my diagnosis, and I wish I could say it's gotten easier. But the truth is, some days are still really, really hard.

There have been so many highs and lows, literally and emotionally. Scary low blood sugar moments, constant device changes, sleepless nights, and days when my body just can't keep up with everything I want it to do. And that's one of the hardest parts. When your mind wants to keep going, but your body is telling you something different.

Diabetes has taken a toll on my mental health in ways I never expected. There have been tears, frustration, fear, and moments when I've felt completely defeated. It's exhausting having to think about something every single minute of every single day. There's no break from diabetes.

But there have also been some of the most incredible moments of my life.

I'm a professional dancer. I'm traveling, performing, and living out dreams that the little girl writing in May 2021 was terrified she'd never get to experience.

And I haven't done any of it alone.

My family has been there through every scary moment, every tear, and every little victory. And the love and support I've received from so many of you online has meant more than I could ever explain.

When I was first diagnosed, I remember desperately wanting to find someone who understood what I was going through. I wanted to see the REAL side of living with type 1 diabetes. Not just the happy moments, but the hard ones too. I wanted to know that I could have this disease and still live the life I'd always dreamed of.

That's why I've made it such a priority to be open and vulnerable about my journey. I share the scary lows, the device changes, the tears, and the days when things just aren't going right. Because I know there's another 15-year-old girl out there who might be feeling exactly how I felt five years ago.

And if sharing my story can make her feel a little less scared, a little less alone, or remind her that her dreams are still possible, then it means everything to me.

Diabetes, you've challenged me more than I ever thought possible. You've made me cry, you've tested my patience, and you've pushed me to my limits.

But you've also made me stronger. You've taught me to fight for what I want, to appreciate every little victory, and to never let the hard days convince me that I can't do something.

Five years ago, I thought you might be the reason my dreams wouldn't come true.

Today, I know you're one of the reasons I fight so hard to make them happen.

Love, Rylee