Hey readers!
Yesterday Aimee, Erika, Logan and I did some site seeing after work, which of course involved a subway ride. The subways were absolutely packed, but that was to be expected as it was shortly after 5. As we stood on the subway (which kept stopping in the tunnels) we were discussing our ID bracelets/tattoos and as Aimee looked around she saw the guy next to us was wearing an insulin pump. Sidebar – diabetics tend to get excited when they see/meet other diabetics. It’s like this bond of knowing exactly what the other person is going through and wanting to know what they are doing to make life easier (pumps, cgms, etc…). Anyways, we found out that this gentleman has had T1D for 52 years. Yes, you heard me right, 52 YEARS. He’s on a pump and the Dexcom CGM. Which of course he showed us his graph – straight line at 90 (some jealousy over that). Then when he realized all 4 of us were Type 1 he said “Is there a club or something?”. Nonetheless we shared about interning at the JDRF, but yes there are clubs for Type 1. His response – “They must not be that fun…”. Which seems like it wouldn’t be, but the support and camaraderie is what makes the SWD group unique. The subway kept getting stuck in the tunnels, which was almost convenient because we could continue talking. Aimee and I talked to him about the OmniPod and how technology is increasing so rapidly control is becoming more and more attainable. He shared about being careful with the complications that can come later in life and how technology will hopefully prevent these things from happening in the long-run. The last part of our conversation hit home, turns out his brother also has T1D. I didn’t think to ask how long, but it was still interesting to see how common having a sibling with T1D is.
Yesterday truly showed us how small the world can really be. It also showed us that diabetics are everywhere and unaware of the groups out there for support! He’s had T1D for 52 years and didn’t know about support groups! It’s a small, but growing, community and we have to stick together to find a cure and advocate for this disease.
-The Insulin Powered Intern
Insulin-Powered Intern 