Hi, I'm Annie. I grew up in a family of six, right in the middle—with two sisters and a brother. As a kid, I was always full of energy. I was that chubby little girl who loved to eat, play outside all day, and just enjoy life. Some of my favorite memories are of those long days spent laughing and running around with my siblings and neighborhood friends.

Then, something shifted.

I was twelve years old when I started feeling... different. I was always thirsty, constantly running to the bathroom, losing weight even though I was still eating a lot. My energy was slipping away, and I did not understand why.

Eventually, we went to the doctor. After some tests, we got the diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes.

I’ll be honest—it hit me hard. I cried. I felt scared and confused. The idea of checking my blood sugar several times a day and taking multiple insulin shots forever? It felt like my world had turned upside down.

Suddenly, my family and I had to learn so much—meal planning, carb counting, managing scary low blood sugars. And on top of all that, we had to figure out how to afford insulin, test strips, and regular doctor visits. It was a lot.

But little by little, I adjusted. I learned how to take care of myself—how to eat better, exercise regularly, and monitor my sugars. One of the hardest things was accepting that insulin injections would be part of my life every single day. But I did it. And I was not alone.

My family, friends, and healthcare team were my rock. Their love and support gave me the strength to keep going, even when it was hard.

Now, 44 years later, I can say something I never thought I’d be able to say when I was first diagnosed: Diabetes has made me stronger.

No, it’s not easy. And no, it’s not something I would’ve chosen. But I’ve learned to see it not as an obstacle, but as a part of my journey—one that’s helped shape me into who I am today.

It’s even led me to one of the biggest joys in my life: helping others.

I'm now a diabetes nurse educator, a diabetes health coach, and a patient advocate. I’ve met so many amazing people living with diabetes, and being able to walk with them, encourage them, and remind them that they’re not alone—that’s the gift diabetes gave me.

And I even wrote a book about my journey called:
Beyond Needle Pricks and Insulin Shots: M 40 year Love-Hate Relationship with Type 1 Diabetes.
It’s raw, real, and filled with the lessons I’ve learned over the years. I wrote it from the heart, hoping it would speak to someone who might feel the way I once did—lost, scared, and wondering, “Why me?”

So if that’s you today, I want to say this:

You’re not alone.
You are strong—even if you don’t feel like it right now.
And you can still live a full, beautiful, joyful life with diabetes. I’m living proof of that.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in this journey, it’s this: I was made to RISE—because this is the DNA of my life with Type 1 diabetes:

R – Resilient
I bounce back from challenges with a heart full of hope.

I – Independent
I take charge of my health and trust myself.

S – Strong and Courageous
I face each day with bravery, even when it’s hard.

E – Empathetic
I understand others deeply because of my own journey.

Thanks for reading my story. If you ever need encouragement, support, or just someone who understands, I’m here.

"As I always say: Don’t let diabetes stop you. Live life to the fullest—beyond Type 1 diabetes." 💙