On this episode, you get to hear (seriously) one of the funnest conversations I've ever had with our sister Norma. Norma grew up in Puerto Rico, went to college in the US, and ended up in Canada, where she's been for the last 22 years.

Norma is a mom of 2, a wife, and has been living with T1D for 43 years!! She doesn't remember life without T1D.

For the past 15 years, she has been focused on raising her kids and, more recently, went back to school to get her MPH.

Norma lived in Cleveland until she was 3 (Big BTNH fan). She was diagnosed with T1D during the transition of moving from Cleveland to Puerto Rico. As a toddler, when she got diagnosed, her parents were diagnosed. Her dad told her that it's one of the few times he cried. 95% of her diagnosis was theirs. Everyone came together as a community of family and friends to support them.

Throughout our conversation, you can feel Norma's passion for helping others advocate and stand up for their rights! After 43 years of being a Type One Diabetic, she's ready for the next step in care and technology.

Although Norma does not recall a life before diabetes, she does hope for a day when not only is insulin accessible to all, but on the day a cure is here, it reaches our most vulnerable communities first.

Follow Norma @norma__amy

She's always willing to lend a hand in helping out her fellow diabetic!

In this episode, we engage in a heartfelt conversation with Esi, a long-time Type 1 Diabetes advocate. Esi was diagnosed with T1D in 1988 at the age of six.

During our conversation, Esi discusses the challenges faced by black individuals living with diabetes, the importance of community support, and the need for cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Asi shares her journey of creating The Carb Cookout, a supportive community for black individuals with diabetes, emphasizing the significance of representation.

The Carb Cookout: Black and Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes is a Facebook group that was created during the heart of the pandemic. The conversation highlights the emotional and social aspects of living with Type 1 Diabetes, the role of healthcare providers, and the hope for a future where diabetes is no longer a barrier to living fully.

Everyone needs an Esi in their corner!

Follow Esi on Instagram at @onyxempress

Diagnosed with T1D in the 90's, at 10 years young while in the 5th grade on Staten Island, NY.

Simone?! is a Black trans non-binary artist. He is a New York City nomad who has lived in each borough at least

twice. His 32nd diaversary is approaching, along with the 4th year living with kidney failure. Simone?! has lived

with other complications and continues to learn that other conditions could also be comorbidities.

Simone's?! paternal grandmother also lived with diabetes. During diagnosis Simone?! was met with a lot of scare

tactics. Simone?! was spoken to as if they were supposed to know everything the doctors knew about diabetes.

The start of this journey geared how diabetes was handled for a long time.

Keywords

diabetes, chronic illness, resilience, community, identity, mental health, kidney disease, self-advocacy, art,

"We are alive, we're not always well."

"Your story hasn't been told before."

"I was diagnosed as a little one."