CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Claire was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as a child, a moment she remembers clearly from her time at sleep-away summer camp. Feeling unwell one summer at summer camp, she was diagnosed soon after starting grade 4 that fall. Life quickly began to look different as she learned what living with diabetes would mean for her.
Living with diabetes requires constant awareness, and one of Claire’s biggest challenges is always having to think ahead. Managing blood sugar levels, planning meals, and preparing for activities are ongoing responsibilities that others may not always see. Over time, these experiences have helped Claire become highly organized, thoughtful, and resilient.
Claire has learned to approach life with responsibility and determination. Living with diabetes has shaped her perspective and strengthened her ability to adapt, problem solve, and advocate for herself.
Something unique about Claire is her love for penguins, and one day she dreams of becoming a penguin researcher. Her curiosity and passion for learning reflect the same focus and dedication she brings to managing her health.
Claire attended D-Camps, where meeting other kids living with diabetes helped her feel understood and less alone. Being surrounded by peers with shared experiences made a lasting impact, and she would recommend D-Camps to other kids living with diabetes.
Claire feels confident being publicly visible as a person living with diabetes and believes that representation plays an important role in challenging stigma. She is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to help change how diabetes is seen and understood, and to remind others that they are capable of achieving their dreams.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
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