Hi I’m Gracie from Trainor Troops!

I’m 16 years old and a sophomore at Kingsway Regional High School. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on November 14, 2013 at the age of seven, which happens to also be World Diabetes Day. T1D is not something that anyone in my family was diagnosed with, so when I was diagnosed it was a shock for my parents and family.

That day is a day we will never forget, I went to the doctor for a sick visit and ended up being sent to the hospital with ketones. My mom gagged at the thought of changing my earrings but that night was giving me shots of insulin. This began our new normal. I was the only student in my school with Type 1 and it wasn’t until 7th grade that I had other students at school with T1D.

Type 1 can be really overwhelming for me and my whole family. When I was diagnosed my whole family (parents, grandparents, aunts and cousins) learned carb ratios, how to draw up a syringe and carb counting. The technology advancements over the past 10 years have greatly improved how I manage my blood sugars.

Shortly after I was diagnosed, my mom got us involved with JDRF. We signed up for our first walk in October 2014. That year we raised about $6,000 and received an award for the Top New Family Team. To date our Trainor Troops Team has raised $67,911!!

We support JDRF because we believe in the mission – “to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications”.

JDRF’s research has already improved my quality of life. When I was diagnosed, I had to prick my finger every 2 hours to check my blood sugar and give myself multiple shots a day. Due to advances in research and technology, I now wear a Dexcom (continuous glucose monitor), which provides my blood sugar every 5 minutes on my phone. I no longer need to do finger sticks. My Dexcom works with my insulin pump to provide even better management of blood sugar. The new technology has made living with T1D easier and safer me and others living with Type One.

There is still no cure for Type One Diabetes, which is why there is still so much more work to be done. My Trainor Troops team will be walking at the 2023 South Jersey JDRF One Walk to continue to raise money so that everyone living with Type 1 has a cure. Our fundraising goal for this year is $12,000.

I have learned that Type One does not limit me.  I have learned to become an advocate for myself and others living with Type One.