Hey T1D,

YOU hit our family like a rogue wave out of nowhere. YOU attacked my only child Chelsea first- over 20 years ago when she was in her early 20’s.

My immediate reaction was that I thought Chelsea was going to die like Shelby (played by Julia Roberts) in the movie Steel Magnolias. This was my only point of reference to Type One Diabetes. We had no friends or family with T1D, so we went on a very scary journey to find out everything we could about YOU. Chelsea arrived with a book we all took turns reading and our journey began- with Chelsea as the star – NOT YOU!

In those early days, no one could have guessed that in addition to changing the trajectory of Chelsea’s life and ultimate career choice, YOU would continue to attack and hit our family again and again!

My granddaughter Kate was diagnosed at 3 yrs old. She only remembers having YOU - not life before diagnosis. Then YOU came for my grandson Ryan, who became insulin dependent at 8 yr old.

However, make no mistake- YOU didn’t take away who they are or what they will become or accomplish in life. They are all more than the number they constantly track with their Dexcom CGMs. Although they make on average 180 more decisions a day than someone without T1D, they are most amazing people who don’t complain about YOU.

All 3 of them are my hero’s. I don’t tell them enough how proud I am of them not just for living with YOU but not allowing YOU to take over their lives and I hope and pray that one day there will be a cure and YOU will be gone!

Priscilla,

Mom to Chelsea

GG to Kate and Ryan