My name is Nola Ryder and I have had T1D for four years now. The day I was diagnosed was July 2, 2014. We were in Massachusetts, spending some time at our beach house. That day, my brother and I went to our babysitter’s pool club and then she drove us back home to eat lunch.  I remember I had sushi that afternoon. It’s funny that I can remember what I had for lunch that day. I also remember that the reason we were with our babysitter was because my mom was on the phone with my doctor due to the symptoms I was experiencing. We all thought it was something less serious.

After I ate my sushi, my mom said that we had to go to the Urgent Care to get checked out. My aunt took my brother and sister and cousins to the beach and off I went with my mom. I expected none other than “you just have a virus.” I was sadly mistaken when the doctor explained to me that I was showing signs of T1D. I froze because when he said the word “diabetes” I had this flashback of when my grandma and I were in a public restroom and there as a sharps container on the wall.  I asked her what it was for, and she told me it was for people who have diabetes because they have to give themselves many shots daily. That memory burned into my brain at that moment.

The doctor ordered us to go straight to Boston Children’s Hospital. When we got there, I was hoping that maybe the doctor at the urgent care clinic had messed up.  But that was not the case.  When I arrived at Boston Children’s, I got my blood drawn, and they moved us into a room where I would stay for the next five days. This meant that I would be there stuck in a hospital bed on the 4^th of July. That night, the doctor came in and told us she had the results of my testing and that I did in fact have T1D and that I would have to take insulin daily. In my 8 year old brain, I thought I would have to take a pill every morning and night. But I soon realized that I would have to take insulin injections. It was hard for me to understand why this happened. At the hospital, the nurses and doctors were awesome and they worked hard to keep my spirits up. Many of them kept telling me about this great camp for girls with T1D.

Initially, I was very interested because I loved the thought of camp even before I was diagnosed. I thought now I had the perfect excuse to go to sleep away camp! I would get to meet other girls that were just like me. Fast forward a week later, I was begging my parents to let me go to Clara Barton Camp the following summer.  What I didn’t know was that my mom had already called the camp and, by some miracle, they had room for me in the next session! She asked me if I wanted to go so soon after being diagnosed and the answer for me was clear; it was a no brainer, YES!

In a matter days, I was packed and set off to Clara Barton Camp in MA. I couldn’t contain my excitement but, at the same time, I was very nervous. Not only was this my first time going to sleep away camp, but I was still learning how to manage my new life with T1D.  This was my first time being away from home for two weeks. It didn’t take me long before I settled in and I LOVED IT!! I have been going every year since. I had only been diagnosed for three weeks when I left for camp and other people thought that was brave and amazing.  I thought it was just what I needed.

This past summer was my 5^th year at Clara Barton. Five years is a big celebration at camp. After five years at camp, you become a “Bartonian.” You are celebrated during a ceremony and you are now part of the Bartonian circle. It is an honor and I am so proud to be one.  I look forward every summer to being a mentor to the newly diagnosed girls that show up a little unsure and nervous about camp and T1D.

Clara Barton gave me a circle of friends that I felt understand me and the struggles I go through every day. We have formed a tight bond.  We keep in touch throughout the year and look forward to seeing each other every summer. I believe my T1D road has been smoother because of Clara Barton and the friendships I have formed there. I would highly recommend anyone living with T1D to experience all the great things a camp like this has to offer.

Nola Ryder