LIFE WITH DIABETES

Our featured series: Warrior of the Month.

Stella

Stella was diagnosed in 2014 and has been fiercely independent for years, taking care of all the day to day Type 1 tasks while living her very busy active life. We admire Stella’s perspective on Type 1 — she incorporates it into her life and doesn’t let it stop her pursuing her passions. We met Stella at Friends for Life in 2016 and have looked forward to seeing her there every year since!

Isabella

Isabella was diagnosed in 2017 with Type 1 and immediately her whole family jumped in to learn as much as possible so she could thrive living with Type 1. She’s a superstar cheerleader, one of the friendliest & most social teenagers you will ever meet. We are so lucky to have Isabella in our T1D community!

Zoey

Zoey was diagnosed on Halloween 2022 when she was 3 years old. It was a very scary 3 days in the hospital. When we got home, Zoey began her journey and learned what happy tears were when she let mom Kim do a finger stick without any tears or hesitation. She’s been a Rockstar ever since and absolutely thrives living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Ivy & Hannah

Ivy & Hannah are our 2025 college scholarship recipients — in fact Ivy is a second time winner! Both students have advocated for and received testing accommodations, focus on careful planning to keep their blood sugar in range on test days, and strongly believe in the importance of community.

Saige

Our July Thriving Thursday post features the original Elbowbumpkid, Saige, who celebrates their 16th diaversary this month! Saige runs our diaversary program, helps at events, mentors newly diagnosed children and helps coordinate kits and mailings. Saige has learned to never let T1D deter from anything and to adapt it for school, sports and everyday life.

Audrey

Audrey is at many of our local events and while we hate that she has to live with T1D, we are so glad we have her light in our community! From her poem: "Diabetes doesn’t define you but being sweet does. Stay strong and always remember you are the hero."

Amelia

We call Amelia "amazing" Amelia because she’s an incredible kid. Diagnosed with T1D at age 2, now 11, she lives with multiple diagnoses including celiac disease & seizures. She gives the biggest hugs, is super friendly to every kid she meets and is just a joy to be around.

Taylan

"I was diagnosed with T1D on July 2, 2021. Realizing a new normal was ahead of me I decided to get busy learning about the disease and helping others… By accepting that T1D is a part of me until a cure is developed, I have decided to thrive despite the diagnosis."

Idan

Check out Idan's video discussing his Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis — if he could turn back time and choose his life as a T1D kid or not, what would he choose? You might be surprised!

[MIGRATE: remaining stories (Brooke, The Malia Family, Kaitlin & Ivy) and the Newly Diagnosed / Existing T1D / Celiac program photo grids from the old page.]