Health Corner
Students Living with Diabetes
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Alyssa Beckham
Alyssa Beckham has type 1 diabetes and has been living with the challenges it brings for about 5 years now. Living with diabetes involves managing your sugar level and your personal life as well. “One of the disadvantages is I can’t play sports and I had to quit.” Alyssa says. She is strong and feels there is no need to hide the fact that she has diabetes. “Maybe one day I can help others know you don't have to be ashamed of having diabetes, and it’s not anyone’s fault that you have it or anyone else around me has it.” The main concern of dealing with diabetes is managing your sugar level and I do that pretty well. I can feel when my levels are too high or too low; when it's high, I get hot and sweaty, and when it's get low, I get all shaky and nervous.” A disadvantage of having diabetes is you can’t eat snacks and sometimes activities are limited with friends. Diabetes has somewhat stopped her from doing some things, but also it gives her a chance to do other things that she possibly wanted to do but didn’t have the time until now. “Don’t be afraid to let people know what you deal with."- Alyssa
Camilya Paxton
Camilya Paxton has had type 1 diabetes for approximately four years now. When she first was diagnosed, it affected her life drastically. She could not do a lot of things that she did before, had to sit out of athletics for a time and she stopped eating a lot of unhealthy foods, which was very difficult. Camilya hasn’t hid the disease- a lot of people don’t know and they don’t have to. Managing her sugar levels was difficult when she was young. “When I was younger, it was a problem because I would forget and I felt I wasn't a normal kid. Now that I am older, I stay on top of it.” Being able to identify when your sugars are too high or do low is helpful. Camilya does not know when she is high, but when she is low it seems as if her body is shutting down and she gets to feeling lightheaded. A personal struggle that she has encountered is when her and her family go out to eat, yet she cannot get the food she use to eat. Her family members had to adjust to her disease emotionally and financially. “At first, it was very emotional for my family, but they’re okay now. Financially, it was hard... real hard, but my mom has this plan that is helping her pay.” Having diabetes has not stopped her from doing things that she loves. She says, “it’s hard, but I know that we can make it though.”
Kamryn Brown
Kamryn Brown was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 8 years ago, on October 17th in fact. Diabetes has not affected her life in a big way- she just has to adjust to people asking her questions. Managing her sugar levels is not hard, but being aware that hormones affect the sugar levels is important. “When my levels are low, it feels like my insides are shaking and I get really hungry at that time," Kamyrn said. Her grandfather has dealt with diabetes for years so her family support is very positive. Having diabetes has not stopped her from doing what she loves; she just has to be aware of her health now. “Don’t be ashamed if you have diabetes. It is okay to let others know about your condition so you have a better support system.”
Mariah Coleman
Mariah has been living with type 1 diabetes since September 18, 2017. This condition has not affected her life much, she just doesn’t like when people ask her if she is okay. "I don't go out of my way to let everyone know I am a diabetic, but I will inform you if you ask." Mariah said. She manages her sugar levels well and she stays in between the 70 to 150 range, which is pretty normal for her since she is very active. Knowing when a diabetic's levels are too high or too low can be difficult at times. “I don’t know when it's high, but when it's low, every inch of my body shakes and I feel like it may completely shut down. I also get very hungry and need to eat quickly when this happens.” Sometimes, her levels are low and it becomes a challenge to deal with. When someone has diabetes, family members learn to adjust with the diabetic's needs. “This condition can put a strain on the family financially. Mentally, it has been a roller coaster ride since my diagnosis. I was always a very healthy kid and it was hard to hear the words 'diabetic' the day my doctor gave us the news.” Mariah hasn't let her condition stop her from doing everything she loves, like being involved in sports. In fact, it pushes her to be better so she doesn't blame it on diabetes. “You have to take the good with the bad, smile when you should, love with all you have, and always remember what you had.”
Nalaini Jones
Nalaini has known for about a year now that she is a diabetic and it's had a huge effect on her life. “My diet has changed considerably and I know I’m a lot healthier than I used to be. I also gained a lot of responsibility managing my diabetes,” Nalaini says. She doesn’t feel the need to hide her condition and she would rather have someone know what to do if she were to need assistance. Managing this condition can be difficult, especially keeping up your own numbers. “I think I manage my levels pretty well; however, I experience some ups and down and it freaks me out a little bit, but I can usually handle those situations. When my numbers are low, I get dizzy and I can’t think or see straight”. Keeping all aspects of life in check can be a struggle for anyone but for a diabetic, it can be extra challenging. “I used to eat a lot of sweets and after I learned of my condition, that needed to stop. So, every now and then, I eat small portions of sweets- not as much as I used to. In the beginning, there was a lot of fear, but I had a huge support group to help manage that," Nalaini said. “There was never a financial change that I noticed in dealing with diabetes, but there was a huge emotional adjustment for me and the people closest to me. I’m still able to do what I love as long as I keep my blood sugar normal and adjust when I need to.”
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