Every time my dad opens his mouth to talk to me, there are two guesses that I could make to predict what he is going to say. Either, “have you tested lately,” or “did you bolus”. And I must admit 98% of the time I’m right. Now, this is not to say that my dad only talks about my diabetes and not anything else, but to show you how much responsibility and effort it takes to be a type one diabetic, even though it’s not a choice.

When I was diagnosed I was eight years old. Now I’m 14. But with everything that you have to constantly think about, it’s hard to remember that I was only diagnosed six years ago and that I did have a life of gummy bears and pump-less days before diabetes came along.

I would be lying if I said diabetes hasn’t taken a huge toll on my everyday life I would be lying if I said diabetes hasn’t taken a huge toll on my everyday life. It’s like a mountain that you climb every day. You face challenges and learn new things. Just when you’re in reach of the top, a place where you finally feel comfortable, you find it’s another peak and you have to keep on climbing. I still haven’t made it to the top. Everyday it’s a new challenge and you never stop learning. And honestly, there is no top. The mountain goes on and on. Days filled with highs and lows, boluses and basals, and a constant struggle to try and remember that my life goes on, past diabetes.

The very first thing that I was taught when I was diagnosed was to never define myself by my disease. Truthfully, that is one of the hardest things not to do. It’s always on my mind. I want to please my parents with my numbers. I want to feel good. I want a balance between health and everything else in my life, but I’m also a teenager and I’m not perfect either. There are times when I don’t want to test and bolus. I just want to eat the gummies and cotton candy and not have to worry about where I’m going to put my pump in a place where people can’t see it.

Over the years I have learned and adjusted to the lifestyle. I need to live to be able to live the longest and most fulfilling life that I could possibly live. In ways, I am also thankful that the worst of my problems is diabetes and that there are so many ways to manage it and people to teach me what I need to know about it. It has been such a blessing to be able to work with Breakthrough T1D and work with people who really want a cure for us. My mom always tells me how much more prepared I will be for “real life.” She says that the skills of responsibility that I was forced to learn very early on will help me for when I move on from my protected life with my parents.

Regardless of this, a cure would be nice! What a cure would mean to me would mean that I wouldn’t have to worry as much as I do, and think as much as I do. I could be a kid; because kids with diabetes are automatically forced to become adults.

I’m no day dreamer and don’t count on a cure, but with the help of you, we’re one step closer. By donating to Breakthrough T1D every penny is like a piece. And with enough pieces we complete one big puzzle, a puzzle of research that holds the answer to a cure.

What we can do what your help is amazing! So every time you’re deciding whether to buy a Grande or a Venti at Starbucks, go with the Grande and donate the extra that your would have spent on the Venti to help me and others like me to make our wish come true :).

Please consider making a Fund A Cure donation in honor of Lindsey and others living with T1D by clicking here.