For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.
The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.
The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.
Name: Jess
School: St. Norbert College (De Pere, Wisc.), Class of 2016
After already living with type 1 diabetes for 12 years, going off to school was like being diagnosed all over again. As I progressed in my academic career, I realized taking care of diabetes on my own was much more demanding than it had ever been before.
The understanding and support I had at home suddenly disappeared; I was fighting diabetes on my own for the first time. With comments like, “I wish I had that because then I’d be skinny like you,” and “don’t give your shots around me,” I realized fairly quickly that it was my responsibility to educate and inform the people around me, so I could create the support that I really needed. I never thought to reach out to my health care providers because they were hours away.
A huge part of being a young adult with diabetes is having a support system. With that, the difficult days just seem to be more manageable.
It was hard to get people to show an interest in what I had to say about diabetes. This is one thing I would like to change about campuses and communities—not just for diabetes, but for all chronic illnesses. There are battles going on behind closed doors a majority of us will never even realize. I tried desperately to move students toward understanding, but after a while, I knew it would take much more than me.
I decided to create a CDN chapter at my school when the director of student health services offered me the opportunity. I’ve been very involved with CDN since then and attended the last CDN Student Retreat in Maine with many other chapter leaders from across the country. The most prominent takeaway from this experience was the stories I heard and the people I met. Not only did we all share the same burden of diabetes, but we also shared a passion and a drive to inspire and advocate.
What do I wish I knew about managing diabetes before college? Well, first off, I didn’t realize how much different I would feel from the other students. People didn’t want me giving insulin injections around them, or talking about my diabetes too much. I didn’t realize managing my diabetes would complicate my social life, particularly at parties and get-togethers.
I knew going into college that my diabetes was going to be difficult to manage, but I wish I would have known that I didn’t have to do it alone.
The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.
Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.
Working for the American Diabetes Association® means making a difference for millions of people and working toward a future free of diabetes and all its burdens.
We all have a story to share. Some of us live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or prediabetes. Others have loved ones with the disease or have lost someone to the fight.
The following are personal stories from the Association’s staff about why we are so committed to the mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
April 2010: As a volunteer I got to meet the artist Frankie J.
Diana Velo
Associate Manager, Area Community Engagement
San Diego
I came to know the American Diabetes Association in 2009, when I was offered the opportunity to volunteer my time for the Por Tu Familia program. But my diabetes story started in 2005, when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 18. I am not ashamed to admit that I live with something that might have been prevented had I been more educated about the risk factors for type 2.
I didn’t do much or care much, to be honest—about the disease. I was in complete denial and refused to accept any medical attention for it. I thought if I ignored my diagnosis enough, it would go away on its own.
This all changed in 2008, when I became pregnant with my first child. I knew that if I wanted to live and see my baby grow, I would have to make some hard choices and stick by them. My first step was going on medication and checking my blood glucose like I was told to do.
But I felt that something was missing. Even though I wasn’t the only person in my family with this disease, I was the only person my age. At the time of my diagnosis, most of my relatives with diabetes were in their late 40s and couldn’t relate to me or my situation.
I started volunteering with the Association. A then staff member asked if I wanted to help out at the local office in San Diego as well, so whenever I could I would go in and help with any projects they had for me. Eventually, there was an administrative support opening at that office, and I applied—not knowing in that moment that it was going to be a life-changer for me.
Nearly three years later, I feel more committed than ever and in debt to the Association for all the help and support I’ve received as a volunteer, an employee and a person living with diabetes. My diabetes has never been so controlled. I recently started using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). I am now on insulin shots and will potentially go on a pump within the next few months.
Left to right: Dewan Gibson, Sheila Mazdyasni, Diana Velo, Nikki Woodward and Nicole Parker
Seeing firsthand how hard the Association works both locally and nationally and working with my community has motivated me to continue working here. I know how hard the staff works to put on events like Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®, Tour de Cure® and Father of the Year.
It’s my duty and own mission to educate the masses, to inspire others to make a choice like I did and live better, smarter and healthier. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for that very first opportunity in 2009 to tell my story in front of a few people who, like me, live with diabetes.
To learn more about nationwide employment opportunities and life at the Association, please visit diabetes.org/careers.
For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.
The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.
The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.
Name and Age: Erykah, 17
School: Philander Smith College (Little Rock, Ark.), Class of 2019
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 11 years old and in the sixth grade.
I knew I needed to thoroughly research colleges and universities, because I had already encountered a case of discrimination. I was accepted to one university’s summer program and offered a scholarship. However, the director of the program took it away because I had type 1 diabetes and they didn’t want to burden the other students. The director felt I was not prepared for college due to my diabetes. But I fought to be in the program, informed the university of my rights as a student and proved myself capable. In the end I decided to not attend that school, but I hope they learned a lesson about the rights of people with diabetes and other disabilities.
After this incident I realized that as someone living with diabetes, it is so important for me to know about my rights and the available services and accommodations.
The resources provided by CDN to inform others about living with diabetes have been a tremendous help in my time so far at Philander. Whether through their website or educational programs, my local CDN chapter has helped me connect with others on campus who are also living with diabetes. It’s important to meet and connect with others who are going through the same experiences as me. Although Philander already celebrates Diabetes Awareness Month in November, I am hoping that with the help of CDN and the Project Blue campaign I will be able to have more programs and meetings on diabetes awareness to educate others.
Educating others about diabetes often starts with a simple question. For example, I’ve been asked about my insulin pump and why it is needed to manage my diabetes.
I have also experienced a lack of knowledge about type 1 and type 2 diabetes on my college campus. I have met many students who have no idea what diabetes is, or the difference between type 1 and type 2. Once in class, type 1 diabetes was being discussed and the instructor told the entire class that it developed when parents fed their children candy and sweets all their life. The instructor continued to say that we needed to make sure we ate oranges and apples to ensure we would not get diabetes. These statements really bothered me. That’s why I am glad CDN now has a chapter at my school to educate others and correct these myths.
When someone has a question or concern about diabetes, I try to explain it in the best way possible. I am happy to explain to anyone who is looking for knowledge. Sometimes I may even throw in a few jokes—I want them to realize that I appreciate how diabetes has shaped me as a person.
I chose to tell my college friends and professors about my diabetes, not only for the safety of myself but for the sake of others. It’s important to educate others about what to do in case of an emergency and to teach them about the devices we carry. My diabetes has been a struggle since I was diagnosed. They were surprised that I did open up and let it be known immediately. I am not ashamed; diabetes is just a part of who I am.
Before leaving for college I did not know how difficult it would be to manage my diabetes. It’s very time-consuming, and time management is very important. I have to be a full-time college student while managing my diabetes at the same time. I didn’t even consider that my life would change so much. The foods I eat, the amount of time I exercise, even how late I stay up at night all affect how my diabetes stays controlled.
Before I headed off to college, my mother made sure I had everything I needed, as did my health care team. My school is about six hours away from home, so we ordered supplies in advance and officially changed my address so that I could get certain items shipped directly to my college.
For high school students heading out to college, I would say do your best to get your diabetes managed and develop a set schedule before you even get there. College is extremely time-consuming; you are a student all day, every day. But when dealing with a chronic illness, you have to take time to take care of yourself. Once you arrive, do not be afraid to stand up for yourself, your health and your rights. You only have one body and you must take care of it.
The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.
Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.
