Every day, the JDRF community is moving #ForwardAs1 to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Meet T1D Champion, Sara! Sara has been living with T1D for one and a half years and recently became involved with JDRF through the 2022 One Walk in New York City. In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, we asked Sara to share her experience with T1D.

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For someone who isn’t familiar with T1D: what is day-to-day life with T1D like?

Well, it’s great and stinks at the same time. It means that you have to be responsible and aware of your body at all times. Some days are easier than others. You have to get used to highs/lows, alarms at all hours of the day/night, needles, blood, doctors, insurance companies, paying attention to food, exercise, rest and knowing that every day is NOT the same. Each day presents a different set of challenges. If you eat something different, if you get stressed, if you’re tired, if you’re excited or nervous, all these things can affect your blood sugar. Sometimes you can handle it and other times it’s not so easy. Life with T1D is all about adjusting and knowing that there are going to be things out of your control. I think my biggest strength is having a positive mental attitude but like I said before, it isn’t always easy.

What do you wish people knew about being diagnosed with T1D as an adult?

It has been difficult to explain to people exactly what T1D even is, let alone what it means for me and how there is no cure yet. I think because it’s an invisible disease, it’s extremely hard to communicate with words how and what I am feeling to non T1Ds. Unless they know someone with T1D, you can assume that most people won’t know what the heck your needs are.

How have JDRF research advancements affected your life?

The fact that JDRF is dedicated to finding a cure for T1D has made me feel less alone in this journey. I feel I have a community of supporters who understand my strengths and weaknesses, helping to keep me positive and motivated to find a worldwide cure.

How do you help move progress forward for the T1D community?

It is my goal to be a positive role-model to others in the T1D community. My love of life and of people motivates me to help everyone living with T1D to feel they play a vital and important role in today’s society. I want them to feel empowered and to stand up for their rights, even if it is exhausting and they’d rather not have to. We must stay educated and educate others!

What myths can you bust about diabetes?

In my brief experience with T1D, I think the hardest thing to realize is that many people aren’t invested in understanding it or what it means to live with it. Yes, most people believe I have Type 2 and that it’s no big deal. I have had people tell me I got it from a vaccine, that I don’t look overweight, that I can cure myself with the right diet and enough prayers. It’s enraging to say the least.  I have had to cut several ties with people who are unable or unwilling to accept this new part of my existence. I know that I have a lifetime of explaining what T1D is ahead of me, especially to those I care about most, but it’s a small price to pay for being able to live. I just feel lucky to be alive.