World Diabetes Day (WDD)

November 14. To some it's just a day, to others it's a day of awareness. Frederick Banting along with his colleague Charles Best, were the ones who first had the idea that led to the discovery of insulin. WDD is celebrated on the 14 of November because this is Banting's birthday. He helped save lives of millions of people. For that, we are eternally grateful. 

However, insulin is not a cure. 

Today is a day of awareness,  for people to share their stories with everyone and educate the world. So here is my lesson to you:

Type 1 Diabetes is when the immune system attacks part of the pancreas. The immune system mistakenly sees the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as foreign, and destroyed them leaving me with a disease I did not ask for. None of this was caused by eating too much sugar or not exercising. My body simply failed in one department. Due to the immune system attacking these cells, my body does not produce insulin on its own and now I have to do it myself. My insulin pump is like a mini portable IV. I get a slow drip of insulin 24/7, and I have to give different amounts of insulin based on what foods I eat or what my blood sugar is. Since my body does not produce insulin, it will not be alerted and correct a high or low blood sugar like your body does, for me I have to eat sugar if it is low, and give insulin when it is high. So when I say I'm high, I promise it is only my blood sugar. I go through my life, every single day with people judging my disease; telling me I can't eat this, or I should exercise more. I've even had people tell me I need to lose weight cause I am fat and diabetic. Now, I am no expert on Type 2 or what that disease comes with, but I am fairly familiar with the one I will have for the rest of my life. 

There are no words to describe the love I have for my fellow T1Ds, they are constantly supporting me, and each other. They are the only people in this world who truly understand what it's like to have someone think you are shooting up heroin at in-n-out as you bolus for your food, or have someone scream in horror as you test your blood sugar because they can't stand the sight of blood. This disease is rough, and we are one strong army of love.