A Little About Me

My name is Thanh Nhờ. I am 36 years old, a wife, and a mother of two young children. I work in the field of nutrition for an international company. My life used to be like that of many other women—until 2022, when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

In my family, my parents and my older brother have Type 2 Diabetes. So when the doctor told me I had Type 1, I was truly shocked. I had never imagined this condition would happen to me.

When Everything Changed

At first, I felt completely overwhelmed. I was afraid of the thought that insulin injections would be a lifelong routine. I knew almost nothing about Type 1 Diabetes, and at that time, reliable information was not easy to find.

There were days when I felt exhausted, nauseous, and unable to eat. I had to return to the hospital many times for monitoring and treatment adjustments. Every blood sugar result made me anxious. I wondered whether I was strong enough to live with this condition.

But eventually, I realized that fear would not make me healthier. I began learning to stay calm and to listen to my body. I learned how to inject insulin properly, how to eat appropriately, and how to recognize changes in my blood sugar. Every day, I learned a little more—and gradually, I became more confident.

Changes That Weren’t Easy

I have always loved sweets—sticky rice, sweet soups, milk tea… But I understood that I had to change. I started choosing healthier foods, eating more regularly, and paying closer attention to each meal. As I changed, my blood sugar levels gradually became more stable.

My work is quite demanding, and stress clearly affects my blood sugar. I realized that I could not focus only on work while neglecting my own well-being. I slowly learned to listen to my body and find a balance between work and life.

Family — My Greatest Source of Strength

I am fortunate that I did not have to walk this journey alone. My husband has always been by my side—reminding me to be mindful of my diet, encouraging me when I feel tired, and supporting me through anxious nights.

He encouraged me to join cooking classes, public speaking courses, and English lessons—so that I would not only live with the condition, but also continue to grow. That support helps me feel not weaker, but stronger every day.

I Am No Longer Alone

When I was first diagnosed, my husband and I searched everywhere for information, but it was difficult to find complete and reliable knowledge about Type 1 Diabetes. Everything changed when I joined activities organized by Action4Diabetes.

There, I learned how to store insulin properly, how to inject it correctly, and how to count carbohydrates in meals. More importantly, I met others who are also living with Type 1 Diabetes.

I realized: I am not alone. We are walking this journey together.

I believe that knowledge should be shared more widely, so that anyone newly diagnosed will not feel as lost as I once did.

Diabetes Does Not Define Me

There are days when I feel tired. There are times when my blood sugar is unstable. But I always remind myself:

Diabetes is only a part of my life—not who I am.

As a mother, I want to stay healthy to grow alongside my children. As a woman, I still have dreams, goals, and things I want to pursue.

Since my diagnosis, I have learned to be grateful for each day. Every morning I wake up is a gift. I am grateful for my family, grateful for my body for trying every day, and grateful for the opportunity to share this story.

If you are living with Type 1 Diabetes, I want to share one simple message with you:

Take care of yourself with love. Keep dreaming. Do not be afraid of the future.

With knowledge, courage, and the love of those around us, we can absolutely live a beautiful, meaningful, and limitless life—even with diabetes. 💙