CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Sarai was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on January 5, 2025, at the age of 26 after being hospitalized in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). After two days of severe vomiting, she went to the emergency room, where she was quickly admitted and transferred by ambulance to the University of Alberta Hospital. In the months leading up to her diagnosis, Sarai had been feeling increasingly unwell and attributed her symptoms—rapid weight loss, extreme thirst, frequent bathroom trips, muscle pain, and constant exhaustion—to stress, a recent breakup, or her gluten intolerance. She later learned her body was critically depleted of potassium and magnesium and struggling under uncontrolled blood sugars.
After six days in the hospital, Sarai returned home to a life that had permanently changed. What began as a medical emergency became a lifelong condition requiring constant management. Doctor appointments, carb counting, insulin injections, supplies, and the daily awareness of life-threatening highs and lows are now part of her routine. While she knows she can still do many of the things she loves, Sarai understands she will never be the same person she was before diagnosis. Her perspective on life has shifted, and she now lives more intentionally in the present moment.
Physically, Sarai continues to recover from DKA, navigating muscle loss, fatigue, and a body that feels more vulnerable to illness. Emotionally, the adjustment has been exhausting. The mental load of diabetes management, combined with watching her loved ones worry about her, has been one of the most difficult parts of this journey. Socially, explaining type 1 diabetes can be draining, especially due to the lack of public awareness and occasional dismissive comments. Still, humor helps her cope, and connecting with others living with T1D has been incredibly grounding.
One of the biggest changes for Sarai has been her appreciation for life. Being so close to death clarified how deeply she wants to live and experience the world. She is a proud second-generation Canadian, the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, and deeply grateful for her culture, community, and access to care. Sarai believes that while life with diabetes may never feel easy, it builds strength, wisdom, and resilience. Every day is a gift, and she chooses to fight for positivity over negativity.
Sarai is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and show that type 1 diabetes does not take away strength, beauty, or hope.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
