Help Us Change Ansley’s Odds!

For as long as I can remember I’ve had diabetes. Growing up I never thought of having diabetes as a bad thing I just knew I was different. Growing up, I’d always go to the nurse at the beginning and end of lunch to test and bolus, I’d always have my snacks measured or counted, and I’d always wear my bright pink pump pack. When I was younger I didn’t feel very special or like the odd one out because my parents treated my twin sister and I the same. If I had my goldfish counted out, so did she.

When I was in elementary school I had the same class all 8 years and there were only 14 of us. All my friends knew about my diabetes and it was just a part of me. I almost enjoyed being a little different from everyone. Having the same 13 kids with me all throughout elementary school made me feel very comfortable with the whole situation.

The summer after 5th grade my sister and I went to sleep away camp. This may be a big step for most people, but it was even bigger for me. That summer I learned how to be independent and take care of myself. I became much more responsible. I think that having diabetes overall has made me stronger and more independent. It has taught me much more than most people would think.

Things changed as I was going to middle school. I remember being beyond scared that people were going to think I was weird because I had diabetes. I didn’t want to stand out, and I didn’t want to have to go the nurse anymore. I felt embarrassed. I just wanted to be like everyone else. As middle school went on and then high school came around I became more comfortable with myself and diabetes again. I made amazing friends who accepted me and didn’t treat me any differently. Of course, I still think about what it would be like to not have diabetes and I wonder if my life would be any different. But I know that having diabetes doesn’t change who I am and it doesn’t determine what I can or can’t do. Diabetes is a part of me, at least until we find a cure.

Please consider making a Fund A Cure donation in honor of Ansley and others living with T1D by clicking here.