CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Ashley was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 18 years old, during the summer between her first and second years of university. At the time, she was working out of town and living with extended family when she began experiencing symptoms she could not ignore. She was constantly hungry and thirsty, extremely tired, waking up three to four times a night to use the bathroom, experiencing blurry vision, and losing 13 pounds in only a few weeks.
The diagnosis was difficult, not only physically but emotionally. At 18, Ashley had just become a legal adult and was stepping into independence. Instead, she suddenly found herself diagnosed with something that made her feel like a child again. She felt she had to work hard to prove she was capable of managing diabetes and did not need to be coddled.
Living with T1D comes with daily challenges that most people never see. Ashley navigates low blood sugars that can affect driving, exercise, and sleep. She constantly balances food choices, carbohydrate calculations, energy levels, and the mental fatigue that comes with decision overload. Diabetes management also includes dealing with insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor alarms or site changes at inconvenient times, ensuring she has enough medical supplies on hand, and carrying the emotional weight of not wanting to feel like an inconvenience to others.
Over time, diabetes has shaped Ashley in meaningful ways. It made her more focused on health and wellbeing, and it proved to her that she has the strength and courage to handle difficult things. Ashley completed both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree while living with diabetes and working part-time. She has also refused to let diabetes limit what she can do. She became a teacher, and even though she had never been a runner before, she challenged herself and ran a half marathon.
Ashley is also passionate about education and advocacy. She believes in helping others understand type 1 diabetes in order to end stigma and stereotypes. She describes herself as a bit of a geek who loves learning, especially about mental health, nutrition, fitness, overall wellbeing, and even researching her family history.
Although Ashley did not attend D-Camps because she was not diagnosed until adulthood, she believes D-Camps are a wonderful and life-changing experience for children living with diabetes. She loves that camps give kids the chance to feel connected and understood, and she knows it also brings peace of mind to parents who can trust their children are being cared for by trained staff who understand diabetes.
Ashley is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and support D-Camps. Her message is compassionate and grounded. You do not have to navigate your diagnosis alone. Find community and connect with others who understand firsthand what you are going through. Support through therapy can also make a huge difference, because mental health matters, and being newly diagnosed can be overwhelming.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
