CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes
Lars was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) when he was 14 years old. While there were suspicions beforehand, it took a trip to Starship Auckland Children’s Hospital to confirm the diagnosis. Like many people living with diabetes, Lars learned early that this condition requires constant attention and a great deal of responsibility, even when others do not fully understand what it involves.
Years later, Lars made a major life change and moved from New Zealand to Canada. Becoming a Canadian citizen is something he considers one of the highlights of his life, and it represents the fresh start, belonging, and community he has built here.
Lars knows that living with diabetes often comes with misinformation and stigma. He has heard assumptions that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar, and he is passionate about correcting those misconceptions. He believes education and visibility are powerful tools for change, and that seeing real people living fully with diabetes helps shift how the public understands the condition.
Lars is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to raise awareness and help challenge stigma through visibility and honest conversation. He hopes his participation encourages more understanding and reminds others that diabetes does not define a person’s worth, potential, or future.
#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma
