I was diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic on February 22, 2012, after taking myself to the ER and spending a couple days in ICU with a blood sugar of 710 mg/dl, I was in DKA, with muscle spasms, and a irregular heartbeat. Just a few years before this I was also diagnosed with having Ehlers Danlos, a rare genetic disease that causes hyper mobility in joints and tissues.
This October 2014, I am representing Little Rock (the state's capital) and competing to become the next Miss Arkansas USA for the year of 2015. I realized after my diagnosis that as a Type 1 I can not live without insulin. If this was the year 1920 then February 22, would have been on my death certificate. So, I consider insulin therapy as a chance that allows me to have a second shot at life, and with that life I intend to live it to the fullest and go after all of my dreams & aspirations. I'm engaged to an amazing man, I have 3 semesters left before receiving my bachelors in psychology with pre-med, and a minor in criminal justice. AND this T1D is taking it to the stage in October!
If I could tell the entire D community one thing it would be DO NOT LET anyone tell you there is something you can not do because of this disease. I encourage you to go after all the things you want in this life while managing your diabetes! Do not let your diagnosis of diabetes be your end all; rather, let it be the beginning to a new life.
Little Rock, AR
