Moe’s Story

Hi! My name is Moe. I’m a rising sophomore at the University of Delaware where I’m studying Biological Sciences Education and Spanish. I have had type one diabetes for almost three years now.

When I was fifteen, I began to have trouble seeing the board in school, as well as things that were right in front of me. Additionally, I would drink insane amounts of water and get up several times a night to go to the bathroom. I didn’t really think much of the thirstiness, however, my vision was getting so bad that I asked my mom to take me to the eye doctor to get my eyes checked. We went to an optometrist, where the doctor recommended I saw an ophthalmologist because she thought she saw some clouds in my lenses.

My mom and I, extremely nervous, made an appointment as soon as possible. When we met with the doctor, he detected cataracts in my eyes. Cataracts don’t typically happen in fifteen-year-olds, so he ordered blood work right away. He told me I would likely need surgery to correct my cataracts, but first we needed to figure out what was causing them in the first place.

We got the call that Saturday that my blood sugar was high and that we needed to get in to see the endocrinologist ASAP. Additionally, if I began vomiting or if I became unconscious, we would have to go directly to the ER. A few days later (the day before Halloween ironically enough), I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. My a1c was 14 and my fasting blood sugar was in the 300s. My endocrinologist told me that I was extremely lucky to have avoided going to the hospital as so many newly diagnosed type ones have to do.

After starting insulin, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, my cataracts have almost completely reversed. I started using an insulin pump and dexcom sensor about six months into my diagnosis and have been using both ever since. I am so grateful for the amazing staff of doctors who were able to diagnose and start treating me so quickly.

Type one, although extremely challenging, and oftentimes scary, has taught me so much and has shaped me into who I am today. It has made me realize that life is a gift, not a given, and it must be valued and appreciated instead of taken for granted. When people ask me if I wish I wasn’t diabetic, I always tell them no, because without type one, I wouldn’t have half of the strength, empathy, and resilience I have today. Type one is a constant reminder to appreciate the little things, and that I am greater than my highs and lows.

Moe Ederer