CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Dawnelle has lived with type 1 diabetes for many years, and her experience has taught her that diabetes is never just a medical condition. It becomes a quiet companion that follows her through every day. Food, something most people enjoy without thinking, turns into a series of decisions. What to eat, how much, when, and what will happen after. Every meal carries a mental calculation, and that constant thinking never fully shuts off.
Living with diabetes requires ongoing awareness, and one of Dawnelle’s biggest challenges is the invisible mental work that others rarely notice. She understands the emotional weight of being responsible for something that cannot always be perfectly controlled. Even when she does everything right, diabetes can still respond unpredictably, and that unpredictability is exhausting. It teaches vigilance and often takes away spontaneity. Over time, Dawnelle has learned that living with diabetes is not about perfection. It is about showing up each day, making countless small decisions, and continuing even when she feels tired of thinking about it.
These experiences have shaped Dawnelle in meaningful ways. Diabetes taught her to pay attention from an early age. She became someone who notices patterns, how sleep affects her body, how stress shows up physically, and how a single missed break or unexpected meal can influence an entire day. This constant observation can feel heavy, yet it has also helped her build a strong sense of self-awareness. Along the way, she developed a resilience that carries into all parts of her life. Diabetes rarely rewards perfection, so she learned instead to recover quickly, correct calmly, and try again tomorrow. That kind of resilience influences her work, her relationships, and how she navigates challenges outside of diabetes.
Something unique about Dawnelle is her love of adventure. She is a passionate traveler who has visited every continent. She enjoys meeting new people, discovering new places, and trying new things, including new foods when she can. Along with her diabetes supplies, she always brings her camera and lenses, because photography is her greatest passion. She has won awards for her wildlife photography, and she is often busy planning her next journey.
Dawnelle believes strongly in caring for both physical and mental health. She encourages others living with diabetes to remember that perfection is never the goal. It is normal to feel angry, tired, or anxious, and she wants people to know that these feelings do not make them weak. A good support system, self-compassion, and forgiveness during difficult moments are essential. She also believes that movement is important, not just for physical well-being, but for mental health too. Staying active helps her feel grounded, balanced, and connected to her body.
Dawnelle is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to help others understand the reality of life with diabetes and to remind people that their experiences deserve recognition. She hopes people newly diagnosed will know that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. With the right support, patience, and community, life with diabetes can still be full of adventure, joy, and possibility.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
