15 years with type 1 diabetes

15 Years with Type 1 Diabetes

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 on September 2, 2001. So tomorrow I am recognizing my fifteen year anniversary with diabetes…also known as my “diaversary.” Here’s why my diaversary is a big deal. 

For background, I come from a family where we celebrate every chance we can get (like, every chance.) And after my diagnosis, we looked for ways to “celebrate” my new life to help me see my disease in a positive light. As a matter of fact, I used to recognize my diaversary every month. On the second day of each month, I would take a moment to reflect on where diabetes has taken me in life. And on the half and year markers, my family and friends were always involved in providing a warm wish or even setting up a unique way to celebrate. In a strange way, this attitude of gratitude helped me cope. 

When I hit my first decade with diabetes, I decided it was time for a change. By this point, diabetes had become so engrained in who I am that it didn’t need a monthly milestone. It almost got to the point where I felt like I was recognizing my hair color or that I have green eyes. It’s part of me. So while I stopped recognizing it monthly, the years would still be very important milestones for me. 

I recognize these milestones because it forces me to pause in the middle of the whirlwind of life to see how far I have come. It allows me to focus on the things I have learned and experienced in my life because of my diabetes and keeps me in a positive head-space.  It also gives me the opportunity to say a special thank you to my support team for their encouragement and care over the years. 

A lot has happened in my fifteen years, both with my health and with my life. And what’s interesting is that there isn’t a lot in my life that I can say that I’ve done for fifteen years. Same city? No. Same house? Defintely not.  Same school? No. Same car? Nope. Same…?  The fact that diabetes has been a ride-along in my life for this long makes it feel that much more significant. Here are a few highlights from my last few years with diabetes: 

This is my family and the #1 reason that I have thrived with my diabetes. My parents let me know from day one that diabetes would make my life sweeter, and my siblings have always helped me laugh when things feel hard. My brother-in-law and new husband, plus my twin nieces, are the newest family additions and ones who have embraced diabetes since day one. My husband is now my biggest supporter day to day. 

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This was my first introduction to the Medtronic team in 2009. I spoke to the company at the “Customer Experience Forum” sharing my views as a loyal MiniMed pumper. I was invited to speak by the Director of Customer Experience, Jeff Anglin, who would become one of my biggest mentors. I still work with him today. After this event, I was hired as an intern here at Medtronic…and the rest is history. 

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This is me with my fourth book, Sugar Free Journey documenting my decade with diabetes. This is the latest edition to The Sugar Free Series, four books about the emotions involved in living with diabetes. 

Sugar Free Journey

I graduated in 2014 with my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. Working and going to school at the same time was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but something that makes me extremely proud. 

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This is my friend Amanda who I met through the DOC. She has become a very close friend and even came to my wedding! She’s one example of a lifelong friend who I met online because of diabetes. 

True Love and Enduring Faith 

My twin nieces with their etch-a-sketches…or what they call, their “insulin pumps” trying to be like their Auntie! 

InsulinPumps

The JDRF walks are one of the highlights of my year and I am always so proud to walk with the Medtronic team. It is an inspiring reason knowing that everyone is walking for people like me! 

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As you can see, diabetes has changed a lot in my life, including bringing great friends into my life and completely altering my career path. My mission is to continue to let people know that life can be sweet with diabetes, and that you should always strive to find ways to live to love your diabetes. 

Thank you to the Medtronic Diabetes community and to my friends in the DOC for being such source of support for. I am reminded every day that we are in this together, and that helps put the pep in my step as I keep moving forward. So tell me, do you recognize your diaversary? Why or why not?

 

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Submitted by chip kingery (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

HAPPY DIAVERSARY to the strongest, most positive, and beautiful still-my-Little-Princess Naomi. When confronted by something far beyond your control called diabetes; you could have rejected it and lived with the bitterness; or accepted it, and simply lived with it. But you chose to EMBRACE IT . As a result, you have given so many others a reason to find sweetness in the journey. And you, Diabetic Diva, have blessed your parent's lives in incredible ways you'll never know. Many more milestones to you!
Dad

Submitted by Genevie (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Naomi - you are such an inspirational and motivating writer. Your outlook on diabetes is admirable. Although I'm sure it's not always the easiest you truly have embraced this as part of who you are all while encouraging others to also embrace and also CELEBRATE it. Great read! Thank you for being you! -Cano Family

Submitted by Sandra Byrd (not verified) on

In reply to by Genevie (not verified)

Really enjoyed your story. I was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 21. Never dreamed I would still be leading such an active and happy life at age 64. Never liked multiple injections but did what I had to. Switched to Medtronic pump as soon as it was available . Love the freedom. I have traveled all over the world: rode a horse across the Rockies: wow even rode a donkey down the side of a cliff on a Grecian isle: snorkeled in the beautiful ocean: gone up in a hot air balloon: skied in the snowy mountains: and white water rafted. And two years ago I took up bow hunting. Took down two beautiful white tail deer here in Louisiana. So I agree with you and I am thankful for the technology that has afforded me these wonderful opportunities. Every time that I call customer service about my pump or my sensor whether noon or 2 am I am treated like a VIP. That means a whole bunch to me! Thanks guys

Submitted by C. Roberts (not verified) on

In reply to by Sandra Byrd (not verified)

My husband was diagnosed at 19 and is 55. He is in great health. You being diagnosed at a similar age and still healthy gives us inspiration. We want many years to look forward to.

If you have a diabetes support group, especially one with long term Type 1 diabetics, I would love to follow.

Wishing you the best of health. Thanks for sharing.

[…] 15 Years with Type 1 Diabetes – Naomi Ruperto, also known as The Diabetic Diva®, was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12. Through the years she has used her voice in the diabetes community as an author of The … […]

[…] 15 Years with Type 1 Diabetes – Naomi Ruperto, also known as The Diabetic Diva®, was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 12. Through the years she has used her voice in the diabetes community as an author of The … […]

Submitted by Ian (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

It is so incredibly comforting seeing people who all celebrate the huge milestone such as this one.
I have been diabetic all of 22 years and only realised it when I saw the doc recently and he congratulated me.
These mile stones come and we forget that every day we have we need to celebrate the lives we have and the ability to live our lives thanks to the technology available.

Submitted by Christine (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Congratulations! 15 is certainly a milestone year. As for me, I'm getting close to #38. I remember when I was first diagnosed and blood sugar testing was "drop a tablet in a test tube of urine and match the color" and insulin was "NPH or regular." It's amazing how it just becomes a part of your life. Type I has never stopped me from doing ANYTHING that I wanted to do and in return I received incredible motivational, planning, creative thinking and adaptability skills. I hope your dia-journey is long and uneventful!

Submitted by Clever one (not verified) on

In reply to by Christine (not verified)

Right there with you Christine. In the early eighties there was beef or pig insulin. I used to call myself a "mad scientist" with the test tubes and had a tackle box to carry everything around in. I was told then and repeatedly there would be a cure in 10 years. Part of me truly believes there will never be a cure because diabetes is a huge industry. 36 years with T1.

Submitted by Nannette Williams (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I am also a long term Diabetic celebrating 42 yrs this year & wearing a pump for the last 19 yrs. I remember the glass syringes in the old Plochman's Mustard jars with alcohol in them in our cabinet as my Mom and Dad were both diabetics as well, insulin made from cows and pigs, testing urine in test tubes by dropping tablets in it and matching a color, I also remember the first finger prickers they had that popped the fire out of your finger... I am so thankful for the advancements in technology!!!

Submitted by Naomi Ruperto (not verified) on

In reply to by Nannette Williams (not verified)

Congratulations on 42 years, Nannette! Treatments have definitely come a long way in the past 40 years.


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