Through the years, a series of authors have brought to life the struggles and triumphs of living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Their books showcase with warmth and humor the challenges they encountered on their personal paths to success.
As we spend more time at home, what better time than now to bury yourself in one of their stories?
Be inspired…everyone has a story and these are some of our favorites. From challenges to champions, we love sharing in their successes:
1. Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes by Mary Tyler Moore
“With generosity of spirit, ebullience, and sly humor, Mary Tyler Moore presents the intensely private, often funny, and sometimes startling story of her life with diabetes. Growing Up Again is a delightfully candid read for her legion of fans, the more than 20 million Americans with diabetes, and everyone struggling to cope with life’s unexpected challenges.” —Amazon
2. Living with Diabetes: Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999 by Nicole Johnson, PhD, Breakthrough T1D Senior Director of Behavioral Health and Psychology Research
“A moving story of personal triumph–and a prescription for how to tame a disease that afflicts millions of Americans and is doubling among children. The former Miss America, a diabetic herself, offers an inspirational guide to living with diabetes, discussing the need for early detection and treatment of the disease and explaining how, with proper diet, exercise, medication, and attitude, to cope with it.” —Amazon
- Dr. Johnson has authored or coauthored other books focused on issues relevant to T1D, including a guide for couples in which at least one partner has diabetes, a book aimed at young adults living with T1D, and a T1D-friendly recipe cookbook.
3. My Beloved World by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
“The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself. It was when she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes that the precocious Sonia recognized she must ultimately depend on herself.” —Amazon
4. The Sugarless Plum: A Ballerina’s Triumph Over Diabetes by professional dancer and former soloist ballerina with the NYC Ballet Zippora Karz
“In The Sugarless Plum, Karz shares her journey from denial, shame and miseducation about her illness (T1D) to how she led an active, balanced and satisfying life as an insulin-dependent diabetic and soloist with one of the world’s most famous ballet companies. Through her fascinating story, those struggling with diabetes and other serious illnesses can find encouragement and inspiration as well as practical advice on achieving physical and emotional wellness.” —Amazon
5. Not Dead Yet: My Race Against Disease: From Diagnosis to Dominance by professional cyclist Phil Southerland
“Part memoir, part sports adventure, Not Dead Yet tells the inspirational story of Phil Southerland’s battle with Type 1 diabetes and how from diagnosis to sheer determination, he beat all odds and turned his diagnosis and his passion for cycling into a platform.” —Amazon
6. Sugar Linings: Finding the Bright Side of Type 1 Diabetes by Sierra Sandison, Miss Idaho 2014
“Sierra Sandison, Miss Idaho 2014, is best known for launching the #showmeyourpump campaign and proudly wearing her insulin pump on the Miss America stage. She tells audiences of her journey from diagnosis to the Miss America stage, and spreads her message of overcoming adversity, as well as loving the things that make us unique, rather than hiding the things that make us different.” –Amazon
7. No Days Off: My Life with Type 1 Diabetes and Journey to the NHL by Max Domi, a member of the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens
“One of the NHL’s most talented young stars shares his inspiring coming-of-age story about following his dreams after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” –Amazon
- The book shares Domi’s story of growing up and playing with T1D. It is a warm and inspiring tale of how he has coped, dealt and won.
Coming Soon:
8. Bret Michaels Auto Scrapography: My Life’s Scrapbook in Pictures and Stories
The famed singer and songwriter has shared his story of living with T1D since he was 6 with fans the world over, and now shares more in his forthcoming Auto Scrapograhy.
“Containing never before heard stories and photos seen for the first time this book is a guide to Health, Wealth, Love, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness. ” –BretMichaels
Kids Zone… A few fan favorites we think your child will enjoy:
9. Rufus Comes Home by Kim Gosselin
“When Brian discovers he has diabetes, his mother makes him a teddy bear who also has the disease, and with whom he can share his experiences.” —Amazon
- Rufus Comes Home is Included in Breakthrough T1D Bag of Hope for newly diagnosed children and their families.
10. Turning Pages: My Life Story by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
“As the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has inspired young people around the world to reach for their dreams. But what inspired her? For young Sonia, the answer was books! They were her mirrors, her maps, her friends, and her teachers. They helped her to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father’s death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible.” —Amazon
11. Ballerina Dreams: A book for Children with Diabetes by Zippora Karz
“This is the story of Zippy, a young girl who falls in love with ballet. With hard work she dances all the way to her pointes and the leading role in the performance. But soon Zippy and her family learn that she has type 1 diabetes. Will she still be able to dance in the performance? Zippy proves that she can take care of herself and still live her passion.” —goodreads
12. The Ups and Downs of Audrey May by Missy Mareau Garcia
“Nine year old Audrey May knows that life can be full of changes. She’s traveled all over the world with her Dad who works on movies, but she’s never been to a school with other kids. She has no idea that starting a new school will be much easier than finding out she has Type 1 Diabetes. Thankfully she won’t face it alone, she has the love of her parents and her crazy little sister to get her through the ups and downs.” —Amazon
