CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Joanna was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 12, at a time when life already felt big and uncertain. She remembers feeling shocked and overwhelmed by how suddenly everything changed. Overnight, her body became something she had to constantly manage and monitor. What stood out most was the loss of autopilot. Everyday moments like eating, exercising, sleeping, and even being sick began to require thought and planning. While the diagnosis forced her to grow up quickly, it also helped her become deeply in tune with her body and aware of her own resilience.
Much of living with diabetes is invisible. The constant mental math, decision fatigue, and anxiety around blood sugar changes often happen quietly in the background. Even on good days, there is never a full break. Physically, it can be exhausting. Emotionally, it can feel isolating. Socially, there is often pressure to explain or minimize diabetes so others do not worry. Balancing diabetes while being a mom, working, exercising, and showing up for others means Joanna is always multitasking, even when it does not look like it.
Living with diabetes has shaped Joanna in ways she never expected. It has strengthened her ability to adapt, plan ahead, and problem solve in real time. It has also taught her patience, self-awareness, and compassion for herself and others.
Something deeply meaningful to Joanna is being a mom to two young girls. Living with diabetes has influenced how she models strength, balance, and self-care for her children, showing them that challenges can be met with confidence and intention.
Joanna feels comfortable and confident being publicly visible as a person living with diabetes. She strongly believes that visibility helps challenge stigma and change how diabetes is understood. She is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to help change the conversation and remind others that a diabetes diagnosis does not define who you are.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
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