Snow’s Journey: From Diagnosis to Determination

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Written By Josephine Velazquez. Support Snow and all those living with or loving someone with T1D by registering for the Breakthrough T1D Walk near you.

In September 2023, my daughter Snow excitedly began kindergarten, stepping into a world of new friends and big adventures. Yet, along with this thrilling transition came a series of concerning symptoms that we initially brushed off as normal for a child entering a bigger school. She began wetting the bed and taking frequent naps, which was usual for her—she had always been a champion sleeper.
We thought perhaps she was just tired from all the new experiences. Having potty trained a bit later, we attributed her bedwetting to stress. But as the weeks went by, Snow lost some weight, and her thirst seemed insatiable. For the first time, she was always hungry and asking for water—a stark contrast to our previous struggles to get her to eat. Concerned but hopeful, we decided to limit her water intake an hour before bed.

Then one Sunday morning, I discovered a cup in her bathroom sink. “Snow, why is this here?” I asked. Her innocent reply sent chills through me: “I was so thirsty, Mom. I didn’t want to get in trouble.” It was a major red flag. That day, we monitored her water intake, and by the time she had consumed a gallon, I knew something was horribly wrong.

The next morning, I called her pediatrician, explaining all that had been happening. To my dismay, she dismissed my concerns, attributing Snow’s symptoms to the stress of starting “big girl school.” “I hope you aren’t Googling, Mom. I don’t have any patients with type 1 diabetes,” she said. type 1 diabetes? What was that? Until she mentioned it, I hadn’t even considered it. But now, the words haunted me, and I insisted on immediate blood work.

That afternoon, my husband took Snow for testing. She was so weak that she didn’t fight back—a stark contrast to her usual spirited self. Just a few hours later, my world crumbled with a phone call from her pediatrician. “Mom, I’m so sorry. You have to leave work RIGHT NOW. Pick Snow up wherever she is and rush her to LIJ. They have a bed ready for her and are expecting you. Snow has type 1 diabetes, and her blood sugar is over 800. She’s moments away from a diabetic coma.”

In shock, I barely registered the words. Sensing my panic, my manager quickly put me in an Uber from the West Village to Long Island to meet my husband and Snow. As I sat in the back seat, I finally Googled type 1 diabetes, but the reality was still too overwhelming. What did this mean for my little girl? How would it change our lives forever?

The first 24 hours were the hardest of my life. I watched helplessly as Snow cried out for food, literally starving due to the disease, yet she wasn’t allowed to eat. A week in the hospital followed, filled with learning about insulin ratios and the jargon that now filled our lives. We learned to prick her fingers, draw blood, and give her insulin injections for every meal and snack. The first three months were a relentless struggle; Snow never seemed to adjust.

But then came a turning point—Snow received her Omnipod on her fifth birthday. This device transformed our daily routine, making life much easier and more enjoyable for her. Looking back on those first six to seven months, I often thought we would never return to a normal life. Yet, I was determined: if this was our new normal, we would make it the best life for Snow.

Now, we are blessed to report that Snow is thriving. We have yet to experience a dangerous high or low. What a year it has been for us, my little girl! Our journey has taught us that you are never alone; your fight is our fight. Together, we raise awareness for type 1 diabetes, not just for Snow, but for all the children who navigate this challenge every day.

As we walk to raise awareness, we do it for the countless families affected by this condition. Together, we can create a brighter future for those living with type 1 diabetes. Thank you for joining us on this journey.