18 Nov Happy 4th Diaversary, Ellie!
Ellie was diagnosed with T1D on this day in 2016. Like many living with T1D, we take the occasion to honor all that Ellie has done; reflect on where we are and how far we’ve come; and celebrate Ellie’s strength, courage, and hard work in managing T1D.
We let Ellie choose how to celebrate—a special gift, her hair dyed blue, a weekend getaway (pre-COVID). We celebrate big! Join us in…
Celebrating intuition to seek medical attention when Ellie lost weight and seemed unusually tired.
Celebrating support and immediate action from our pediatrician, emergency room team, and EMTs transporting us to Kansas City via ambulance as well as the excellent endocrine department of Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Celebrating access to insulin. (Not everyone can say this, and it’s blatantly wrong. People struggle to afford insulin and are forced to ration it, putting their lives at risk. People with T1D need insulin to live. It’s that simple.)
Celebrating teachers who learn about T1D to keep Ellie safe and fully engaged in school activities.
Celebrating friends and family who strike the perfect balance of providing extra care while treating Ellie exactly the same.
Celebrating Ellie receiving (and thriving with) the Medtronic 670G insulin pump (the first closed loop system). Her pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) are in constant communication, providing insulin incrementally to more closely resemble a functioning pancreas.
Celebrating “diabuddies” who just get it and a T1D community that supports, encourages, and nurtures empathetic people.
Celebrating Ellie learning to manage her diabetes and growing more confident in her capabilities.
Celebrating a book that allows Ellie to share her experience and innate optimism with young people who are newly diagnosed.
Celebrating a big, bright, beautiful future that Ellie will shape with all that she is learning from this experience.
Celebrating hope over fear and life with a mighty, faithful God.