CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Ataleigh was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on September 10, 2021, at just three years old. It was a beautiful, sunny Friday, but her family knew something wasn’t right. For about a week, Ataleigh had been feeling unwell — experiencing headaches, dizziness, weight loss, and frequent urination. Her parents took her to a walk-in clinic, where they were told it was likely just a stomach bug. No blood work was done, and they were sent home.
Within just 20 hours, everything changed.
Ataleigh’s parents rushed her to the Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed almost immediately. She was in DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and was admitted to the PICU. Ataleigh spent the next 24 hours in a coma. In that moment, time stood still for her family. Overnight, they went from being “just parents” to becoming their child’s pancreas — learning insulin, blood sugar checks, carb counting, and diabetes care, all while trying to protect Ataleigh’s sense of normal childhood.
Now, diabetes is part of Ataleigh’s everyday life — even at school. She can’t simply run off to gym class or recess without first checking her blood sugar, and sometimes she needs to eat a snack when she doesn’t feel like it. Every day, her mom comes to school to give her insulin before lunch. It’s a routine that requires constant planning and support, even when Ataleigh just wants to be a carefree kid like everyone else.
Despite the challenges, Ataleigh’s journey has shaped her in powerful ways. Living with type 1 diabetes has made her incredibly strong — physically, emotionally, and mentally. It has also taught her empathy and kindness toward others, because her family understands that life can be hard, and everyone deserves compassion.
Something special about Ataleigh is how naturally creative she is. She is talented at drawing, artistic, and loves expressing herself through her imagination.
Ataleigh’s message to someone newly diagnosed is simple, but deeply meaningful:
It’s hard at first — but you will still have a full, beautiful life.
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