Taelyr DeWarle

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes

Taelyr was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 16 years old in August 2020, during an already difficult time marked by the loss of her father and the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown. After being very sick for nearly two weeks, she went to her local hospital and was later transferred to Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. Due to COVID restrictions, she had to make the four-hour ambulance ride alone in the middle of the night, an experience she remembers clearly.

For the first several years, living with T1D felt isolating and often led to diabetes distress and burnout. Managing diabetes while coping with grief was overwhelming. Over the past year, finding a strong support system and becoming part of the T1D community has helped ease many of those challenges and reminded her she is not alone.

Although Taelyr remembers life before diabetes, she is grateful for the growth this chapter has brought. T1D has taught her resilience, strength, and perseverance through adversity. Outside of diabetes, she loves being outdoors and traveling, and her goal is to live life fully without letting T1D hold her back. Working on the TEAM Trial (Type 1 Diabetes Exercise and Mentorship) has been especially meaningful, allowing her to connect with and support others through shared experiences.

If Taelyr could share one message with someone newly diagnosed, it would be that they are not alone. Diabetes can feel overwhelming at first, but it does not define you or stop you from living a full life. For those supporting someone with diabetes, she hopes they know that patience, understanding, and simply being present can make an incredible difference.

Taelyr is modeling to raise awareness, share her story, and show that diabetes may be part of life—but it doesn’t limit what’s possible.

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