Type 1 Diabetes

Rachel Buss

Rachel was a 12-year-old middle school student when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Middle school can be a challenging time for any adolescent, but Rachel’s diagnosis compounded these challenges significantly. As an athlete, she went from being a starting player to a bench player because no one knew how to manage the disease. When she entered high school, teachers and students did not fully understand the disease, leading to teacher’s aids questioning the rules regarding her insulin injections during school.

However, the challenges brought on by her diabetes never deterred Rachel from doing the things she wanted. She accepted the changes diabetes demanded of her, stating “Rather than having 8 steps in the morning, there are now 10.” One of these extra steps involves remembering a fast-acting sugar in case of emergencies, such as grabbing a juice box before leaving her house.

Throughout the years Rachel has learned to manage her disease independently but understands how important it is to have a support system in place. Her husband Steve has taken time to educate himself on Type 1 Diabetes and has proven to be one of her greatest allies in managing the disease. On one recent occasion, Rachel’s blood sugar became dangerously low while she was sleeping, leaving her in an unconscious state. Steve woke up to a phone call from Rachel’s mother, only then realizing the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) alarm had been going off. Steve acted swiftly by administering a Glucagon injection in Rachel’s thigh and calling the ambulance. Rachel’s life was saved thanks to the valiant teamwork by her husband and mother, who form a strong support system that allows Rachel to continue managing her disease with confidence.

John Jones

“What are you doing on the floor? Get up and get back to class,” a hall monitor shouted to John as he laid on the hallway floor in the middle of school. John was in the middle of a cardiac arrest episode, brought on by his Type-1 Diabetes. After recruiting a friend to bring him to the school nurse in the middle of band class, John laid on the ground to avoid passing out and suffering further injuries from the episode. He told his friend to run to the school nurse--the only faculty or staff trained to administer insulin-- across the school before it was too late. Thankfully for John, the nurse was able to find him in time to perform CPR until the EMS professionals arrived to take him to the hospital.

Having been diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes on Christmas Day at seven years old, John was used to dealing with his condition. Even so, traumatic events, like this one, made going to school and living a regular life difficult for John and others like him; however, living a normal life is possible. John still lifeguards, teaches swimming lessons, and is active in college. He can even enjoy the occasional sweet treat, thanks to the expensive insulin that he takes. Hopefully, more people who do not have diabetes can become more aware and trained on how to help people like John when these unfortunate events take place.

Caitlin Alizieri

"She was the best diabetic there ever was,” said Caitlin Alizieri of her grandmother, whose attention to detail served as a source of inspiration. Her grandmother always had a notebook, keeping track of her blood sugar levels and staying on top of her disease. Her grandmother’s success managing her diabetes for over 50 years showed Caitlin that living a healthy and happy life was possible. Her grandmother's only major complication was a heart attack in her late 60s or early 70s. “She’s just a good role model,” added Caitlin. Caitlin was diagnosed with late-onset Type 1 Diabetes at age 23 and is working towards completing a nursing degree. She is preparing to manage her blood glucose levels during ten to twelve-hour nursing shifts. Caitlin has overcome many challenges, has managed her diabetes and can now be an ally to others.