CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Charlee was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 4 years old, right before she was supposed to start school. She remembers feeling afraid that diabetes would change things — and it did. Charlee wasn’t able to start school alongside her friends until the adults around her could figure out how to safely care for her and manage her diabetes during the day.
One of Charlee’s clearest memories from the beginning is getting her first needle. She proudly said, “All done!” not realizing that diabetes would mean needles and pokes every day, for a very long time.
As Charlee has grown, she’s learned that some of the hardest parts of diabetes are the moments that make her feel like she’s missing out. She finds it especially difficult waiting for insulin to start working while watching her friends or family eat right away. And when she’s in the middle of playing, it can be frustrating to hear, “Charlee, come over — you’re low, you need to take a break.” Those interruptions can feel unfair, especially when all she wants is to keep having fun.
Even with those challenges, Charlee has built incredible strength. Living with diabetes has taught her that she can handle hard things — and it’s also helped her become more compassionate. She says diabetes has made her more understanding when she sees other people dealing with health struggles of their own.
Charlee uses an insulin pump and a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), which help her and her family manage diabetes more safely and confidently day to day.
When she’s not busy being brave, Charlee is full of big dreams and bright energy. She loves gymnastics, her favourite animal is an otter, and when she grows up, she wants to be a teacher.
Charlee is modelling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to raise awareness, celebrate kids living with diabetes, and help send more children to D-Camps — a place she loves. Charlee says camp is an amazing experience, and she would recommend it to anyone because it’s so special to be around other kids and adults who truly understand what you’re going through.
Charlee’s message is simple and hopeful: It’s very hard at first, but it gets easier.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
