Brittany's Story

I was diagnosed with T1D in 2005 at the age of ten years old. At that time I was just your average child thinking nothing bad could ever happen to me, so I simply shrugged off the fact that my mom thought I needed my blood glucose checked. She’s an emergency room physician, and noticed that I was drinking gallons of juice and water everyday, and running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. I just thought I was drinking more because I was growing. We had a family excursion planned that same weekend, and I assumed we’d stop at the hospital briefly and continue on with the trip. Well, I was wrong. I remember the ER so vividly and the forced smile from the nurse who stabbed the long, shiny needle into my vein. After waiting there for what seemed like hours, a group of doctors explained that my blood sugar was over 500, and amongst other things, I was going to have to take shots for the rest of my life. I didn’t really understand what everything meant at that time, but seeing my mom crying was enough to tell my youthful mind that this was no joke. I took charge of my diabetes at a young age, checking my blood sugar and managing my pump on my own from 11 years old, and learning about my body every step of the way. Thankfully, I also received care from an excellent team of doctors who reassured me that having type 1 diabetes should never limit me from accomplishing any of my dreams. And boy did I take that to heart. As I sit here today, 13 years after my diagnosis, as a third year medical student at the University of Southern California, I reminisce on all of the goals that having diabetes only pushed me harder to accomplish. From winning a state championship as a three sport athlete in high school to making it to the undergraduate and medical school of my dreams, I thank diabetes for teaching me discipline. It has truly helped shape who I am today. And I want to tell anyone struggling with their diagnosis not to give up! Each unique journey and success story might be all it takes to motivate the next person!

Brittany DeClouette