For many families, a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis can feel isolating. That’s how it felt for Sue and her daughter, Joy, until they walked into their first Breakthrough T1D Community Summit. What they discovered there changed everything.
In Their Own Words
“February 24, 2018. The first Summit that Joy and I went to, less than a year after her diagnosis. It was the first event with Breakthrough T1D (then JDRF) that we attended. We were scared, nervous, excited….all the feels. We had felt very alone in all the newness that came with her diagnosis, but a friend convinced us to go…and we are so thankful we did.
Walking through the vendor fair was so fun and inspiring. So many advances and technological devices to look forward to – and they had fun swag to boot! The speaker was so great. That year, and every year since, I am brought to tears hearing the inspiring stories of people with T1D that didn’t let their diagnosis stop them.
At lunch, the look on Joy’s face was priceless. When she saw that carb counts were provided on the tables by the food and most of the people in the room were either working out calculations, putting counts into their pumps, or prepping needles, it made her feel less alone. She was with people who understood what it was like to have to struggle with this illness 24/7.
And so was I…I met so many parents that knew what it was like to stare at their sleeping child, worrying that their blood sugar might be too high or too low but not wanting to poke them, scared to send them to school or to a sleepover – just living in a constant state of worry.
Most importantly, at the Summit, we realized we had found our new family. The support of others who know what it is like to live day in and day out with so many variables and it helped us realize that we were not alone anymore.
It is great to reconnect with so many of them each year and hear all of their triumphs over the years…almost like going to a family reunion.
Whether you are the family of a newly diagnosed T1D, or someone who has been living with this chronic illness for many, many years, Summit has something for each of you. Come check it out, we promise you won’t be disappointed!
– Sue & Joy”
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Sue and Joy’s story is just one example of how the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit brings our community together. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible day of breakthroughs, connection, and hope.
