Connor Gillespie

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes

Connor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 11 years old after her parents noticed something was wrong. She was going to the bathroom constantly and had developed a strong dislike for bathrooms, which led them to get her checked. That visit changed her life, and even today, bathrooms remind her of the start of her diabetes journey.

One of Connor’s biggest challenges has been food and math. She hates math, and carbohydrate counting has been especially difficult. Over time, she has learned that treating food like a punishment can lead to resentment toward diabetes, something she actively works against. Learning to see food as fuel has been an important part of her growth.

Connor has taken major steps toward independence. She learned how to do her own injections, manage site changes, and use her continuous glucose monitor. These milestones helped her gain confidence in managing her diabetes on her own.

Connor works full time and plays a lot of sports, balancing an active lifestyle with daily diabetes care. Family support has been key—her parents purchased a home with a downstairs apartment, allowing her to live more independently while still having support nearby. Her next goal is living completely on her own.



With lots of friends, great memories, and a strong sense of determination, Connor is focused on living independently and confidently. She believes diabetes is something you live with, not something that controls you, and she is proud of how far she has come.

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