In this compelling episode of the Chronically Will podcast, we hear from Dee, a resilient Cuban-Jamaican born, Brooklyn-bred single mother, as she shares her journey of advocating for her daughter, Jayde Michele, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just two years old, only 6 years ago. Dee opens up about the challenges and triumphs of navigating the educational system, ensuring Jayde receives the support she needs to thrive. From managing blood sugar levels during school activities to fostering a community of understanding and support, Dee's story is a testament to the power of informed advocacy and unwavering love. Join us to explore how Dee's cultural roots and personal strength shape her approach to advocacy and learn how you can make a difference in your community.

Follow Jayde Michele's journey

Instagram @type1derfullyme

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."

In this episode of the Chronically Will Podcast, Leah shares her journey living with type 1 diabetes and other chronic health conditions. The conversation explores the intersection of physical and mental health, the importance of advocacy, and the role of community support. Leah discusses her experiences with multiple diagnoses, the impact of chronic illness on mental health, and the misconceptions surrounding diabetes. The episode emphasizes the need for education, self-advocacy, and the hope for a future cure, while also finding humor in the challenges of living with chronic illness.

Follow Leah on instagram @contentleah

On this episode of Chronically Will Podcast we get to hear from the amazing Keeratdeep. Keerat comes to us from Delhi, India and was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes 20 years ago at the young age of 10. Yes, she has been learning, living and thriving with diabetes for the last 2 decades. Diabetes sort of grew up with her.

Through this conversation Keerat speaks fondly about her loved ones that have been there with her along this journey. When she was diagnosed, they too received a diagnosis. Her mom, dad and brother have been her everything!

She tells us all how having a community of people living with diabetes that we can interact with helps validate us more than anything. As Keerat says, you must choose your tripe wise. This will benefit you along your life with chronic health conditions.

Keerat has traveled and lived all around the world. She's lived in both Australia and America. Over the years she's learned so much about herself because of diabetes. It has 100% affected her in relationships, with people not seeing her in the amazing light that she is because society sees diabetes one way.

Keerat is fun, strong and just an overall great spirit of light that deserves her shine.

Get to know Keeratdeep!!

Follow on Instagram instagram.com/lifewithkeerat

On this episode you will hear from Michelle @michelle_jako Michelle visits us from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Michelle was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in 2012 at 13 years young, while in the 7th grade. In this conversation Michelle tells us about how diabetes makes you

grow up fast and as a young teen when you're told to do certain things how you know as a youth that nothing can stop you.

She recalls her mom not knowing if it was her blood sugar or her just being 13 that altered her emotions and made her irritable. Even as a child in school, teachers would provoke her about her diabetes, specifically when she was doing exams and couldn't focus at times.

Once at a restaurant a patron told the waiter to tell her to take her insulin in a restroom. Michelle used this as a moment to advocate and educate this person on diabetes and the direct need for her to take her insulin.

Michelle recalls at the age of 15 not wanting people to know about her diabetes so she hid it. No one knew that she was taking insulin 3x a day, in the morning, before lunch and in the evening. Her close friends knew she had diabetes, but they didn't know the details of it. When she would

stay with friends their parents would make sure to keep the sweets from her.

One of Michelle's greatest hopes is that her child never has to grow with this.

When she met her significant other and she told him she had diabetes, he was okay with it. He was so excepting

of it and had no questions. He didn't know anyone with diabetes, but he told her, "Well, you'll teach me about it. I'm willing to learn. " While dating he once came to visit her and had to ask security to accompany him to her door, and there they found her unconscious. It was an eye-opening experience for her.

In her career she helps educate people on diabetes and advocacy. Although her child is only 2 she wants

to also educate her so that she will know what to do incase an emergency does occur.

Living with diabetes has made Michelle a more patient and understanding person. When she had her child, and although her pregnancy was hard for her, it was amazing! As Michelle passionately shares, "She is her gift from God!"

Follow Michelle

Instagram: Michelle_Jako

Tiktok: Michelle_jayy

On this episode we get to hear from Dr. Allison Ong, also known as Allie. Allie comes to us from southern California. Allie was diagnosed with T1D at 11 years young, almost 18 years ago. After falling ill and getting a glucose tolerance test, which she passed, six months later she was in full blown DKA with a blood sugar greater than 1,500 mg/dl. Soon to be heading to middle school she learned and began to care for her own diabetes shortly after. On this episode we get to experience the perspective from a person not only living with T1D but also that works in medicine. She see's patients of all ages, including kids that are type 1's as well as young adults. Her journey through T1D advocacy and medicine took her to grad school in the Sacramento/Bay area and to residency in Miami, FL where she trains in internal medicine & pediatrics (a field called Med Peds). She is passionate about urban health, adolescent medicine, and using writing and social media for education and change. When she isn’t pulling 80 hour workweeks as a resident, she enjoys indoor rock climbing, the arts, and writing a good yelp review. Some fun goals for this year include doing 5 solid pullups in a row (she’s almost at four), incorporating more art into her free time, and continuing to grow as a mentor for medical students and residents learning about diabetes!!

Allie states how diabetes and medicine are not separated for her. They are both apart of her identity. Allie shares that while at the hospital taking care of patients, her blood sugar can be super high at times.

She enjoys being able to talk with a lot of patients with chronic illnesses from a really empathetic and caring perspective. Allison appreciates honest and transparent content creators because it makes the process real and not sugarcoated.

Get to know Allie!

Follow her on Instagram @Allie_T1D

Tiktok @allie_t1d