Autumn – Age 8

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) can take over your life at any time and at any age. You will never be ready or prepared when it strikes. I know this firsthand because my daughter, Autumn, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just 21 days after her first birthday.

Autumn had been sick with roseola and a high fever a for the weeks prior to her diagnosis. Testing her for T1D was not something the doctors were planning to do. The ONLY reason that her doctor even tested her for T1D was because my dad has been living with T1D for more than 50 years and I brought up that fact at her one year old check-up appointment. I grew up with T1D in my family, but when my baby was diagnosed, I felt like I knew nothing of the disease and had to re-learn about the disease in the mindset of a mother caring for her child.

Autumn has basically only known life with insulin shots, blood tests, and carb counting. Autumn is now eight years old and has been living with T1D for seven years. At the age of eight, she has experienced and conquered more than people four times her age. She is strong, brave, and kind to everyone because she just gets it. She understands that people may be fighting a battle that we can’t see. By just looking at her, Autumn appears to be a very healthy, active, happy second grader (and she is…most of the time!).

Autumn has learned how to control her disease, at least when her pump cooperates! Autumn managed T1D with insulin shots for the first 1 1/2 years after her diagnosis. Then, when she was 2 1/2 years old, she had a big year! She got twin sisters AND a Mini Med insulin pump. She was super proud to show off her pink pump and spy belt, and sometimes, her sisters! At the age of 6 1/2, Autumn started using an Omnipod insulin pump. She loves to swim and this gives her more freedom to be in the water and still keep her levels in check. Autumn is living proof that you can have diabetes and still grow up as a normal kid. This summer she will tackle her next adventure which will be learning to use a Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and moving to a new school. With our family motto, “be brave”, Autumn is sure to soar to new heights and conquer any obstacles that she meets!

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Autumn’s Family has participated in the JDRF One Walk – La Crosse since her diagnosis. If you would like to support Autumn and her team, consider attending the JDRF One Walk – La Crosse on Sunday, October 6th at Myrick Park. Thank you to Autumn and her family for sharing their story and setting a great example for the T1D community! 

If you want to submit a story about your diabetes journey like Autumn, please contact Jen Allen!