In November, we wear blue.

" Dear Type 1,

When we were introduced 8 years ago, you were foreign and feared but I knew how strong you would make me. You took away my childhood and my family’s peace of mind. You take away innocence but replace it with resilience. You took away my teenage spontaneity but replaced it with drive. You took my head out of the clouds and put me on the path to an even better reality.

Some days I hate you and wish I had never met you. Sometimes you seem like a barrier, a limitation, and a burden, but I choose to see you as an opportunity and a partner, because I refuse to let you destroy my life.”

In honor of NDAM, November is dedicated to Type 1 Diabetes Awareness more specifically the 14th. It marks the day in which insulin was created. During this month organizations and communities across the country, help bring attention to diabetes. This year our focus is Juvenile Diabetes for it has affected over 193,000 of our youth. Diabetes in fact kills more people than Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, and AIDS combined.

Type 1 Diabetes is a very degraded and misunderstood chronic illness.

It is constantly compared to other illnesses resulting in no-one understanding the seriousness of diabetes. I absolutely hate how normalized it has become. Most people don't think it is very serious- until it hits them.

Diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar but instead, it is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks insulin- producing beta cells that live in your pancreas. In short, your body is fighting against itself.

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From a more personal experience no amount of healthy diet, exercise, or herbal medicine can cure it until you come face to face with yourself and make peace with it. Fighting against it will only eat up you alive. I have been fighting a more aggressive version of T1D from the age of 10. It has been a very long journey but it shaped me into the woman I am today. I will always be grateful for everything I’ve been through. After fighting with T1D for so many years, I decided to accept it and reclaim my life back. It may be a burden sometimes but I believe it came to me as a teacher. Diabetes taught me to have a balance, be grateful, be happy no matter what people may have to say, it taught me to go beyond myself and appreciate every moment. It made me realize that I’m a person too and no matter how difficult my situation maybe I deserve to be here. We can’t change the past but YOU are in control of what your future holds.

Having a chronic illness is like being apart of a new world; a very dark painful world where you’re constantly sinking and no one can save you. It can lead to so much more if you’re careless with it. No one can help you but yourself. Only YOU have the ability to pull yourself out of the bubble.

I truly despise how not a lot of people understand that diabetes is a full-time job. It’s time-consuming and unbelievably frustrating. You make one mistake and you’re back at square one. It often keeps you up at night due to the lows and you experience a lot of restless nights due to highs. There are nights where all you can do is hold yourself just to get through the night because no one else is going to understand what you’re going through. You may think that’s absolutely horrific and even though it might be, there’s still beauty within it. I say this because no matter how scared you may be, no matter how much you want to give up the courage within you takes control and makes sure you keep fighting for your life. Diabetes reminds us that life is not promised. It reminds us to live in the moment but most importantly to accept anything that is thrown in our way.

Indeed, the strongest people have not been given an easier life, they've learned to create strength and happiness from dark places.

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Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes may include:

• sudden weight loss

• frequent urination

• thirst

• change in appetite

• dry mouth

• nausea

• mood swings

• weakness - confusion

• trembling - rapid heartbeat

• numbness

• recurring infections - colds

• constantly feeling lethargic - drowsy

• unconsciousness

• extreme headaches

It is very important to take precautions and identify these symptoms.

If you do experience any of these symptoms in a severe manner, seek immediate medical attention.

Here are a few things that have helped me lower my readings naturally:

1. rosemary tea

2. cinnamon tea

3. lemon-infused water

4. soda water

Supplements that have helped me:

1. vitamin b ( for energy )

2. magnesium ( numbness & pain )

3. apple cider ( acid created from stress)

What helps me with my energy levels:

1. walking ( 10k+ steps every day)

2. have a snack every two hours

3. consistency

4. don't sweat the little things

5. don't take criticism from others

Affirmations every morning and some self-love is the best medicine

Spreading awareness about Type 1 diabetes can not only save someone's life but can also make someone else who is living with Type 1 feel less lonely. Giving support to those affected is critical in making everyone suffering feel loved, feel wanted, and in this process look forward to finding a solution towards healing those affected by diabetes.