Mason Raaen

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes

Mason was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at sixteen during the summer of 2022 while working away from home as a camp counsellor. After becoming critically ill, Mason was initially misdiagnosed with heat stroke and sent back to camp. By the next day, Mason deteriorated rapidly and was rushed back to the hospital, where a diagnosis of severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was made. Insulin treatment brought relief from the pain, but at the time, Mason did not yet realize how life‑changing the diagnosis would be.

Living with T1D has transformed Mason’s life. What was once carefree now requires constant attention, with countless daily decisions around blood sugar, insulin, and health. The condition is relentless, with ongoing monitoring, device alarms, and nighttime lows that can be both exhausting and overwhelming. Mason has worked hard to build healthier habits and greater self‑awareness, though there have been setbacks, hospital visits, and moments of frustration when things don’t go perfectly.

Mason is passionate about challenging stereotypes around diabetes. This condition was not caused by lifestyle choices, and it is not the same as other forms people often assume. Learning to lean on family, friends, and fellow T1D peers has helped Mason carry both the physical and mental load.

Living with diabetes has made Mason a more empathetic and compassionate person, with a deeper understanding of chronic and invisible illnesses. Outside of diabetes, Mason has been a lifeguard for three years and loves teaching kids how to swim and giving back to the community. Mason plans to begin an education in primary care next spring to continue helping others.

Mason knows T1D will always be challenging, but believes it becomes a little less scary with time, resilience, and support. With the people around them, Mason continues forward—proving that diabetes is part of the story, but not the whole story.

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