Grace’s Story

At the age of eight, my life changed forever. Although I don’t remember life before diabetes I am quite jealous of it. I was sitting at my grandparents dining table after coming back from the bathroom six different times. My grandpa who was a type two diabetic at the time noticed this and immediately took out his blood glucometer. Prior to this, I had lost an extreme amount of weight, drank gallons of water a day. My symptoms weren’t obvious because we had thought I was just going through a growth spurt. I remember sitting on the bathroom floor watching my dad shake his head as he read the tiny screen “HI”. I was admitted to the emergency room, doctors coming in and out. Finally, with four IVs attached my arms, my diagnosis arrived with parents crying and a nurse telling me I’m going to be okay. I was 803. I would have been in a coma if I had not come in any sooner. The transition from a non diabetic life to poking your finger, injections and diet changes really struck me hard. I was not the best, I was confused, angry and  embarrassed of what my life now was. It has taken me 12 years to figure out my body, what it wants and how to make myself feel the best way possible. This disease has not only given me strength but self confidence, compassion and a drive to help others like me. This disease has driven my future career path as a dietitian to support my fellow diabetic community. Diabetes does not control you, it makes us stronger and we all continue to fight. That’s what I live by.

Grace Daun