Raquel’s Story

Diabetes is just a weird disease. There is nothing consistent or standard about it. I have found that embracing the disease and community that comes with it is the only way to find the light in all the chaos. Once I came to the realization that no single moment with type 1 would ever be the same as another, I learned how to live in (somewhat) peace with this disease. I have learned to expect nothing and be ready for everything. I was diagnosed right around my 5th birthday. My parents had to beg the doctors to let me leave the hospital after a couple days so that I could attend my own birthday party. I remember so clearly having to walk away from my friends at the party to go into a private room and take an insulin shot- something I was absolutely terrified of. From then on type 1 was a part of my life but never something that defined me. I was never ashamed of having it, but also didn’t really want any part of the community. A little over 3 years ago I started my journey of being a dance major at The University of Texas at Austin. It was then that I was forced to take on this disease myself, and little did I know this was the best thing that could have happened to me. College is hard, being a dancer with type 1 is really really hard, but all of these challenges forced me to step up and take care of myself better than I ever have before. I found Type Texas, the UT Austin chapter of the College Diabetes Network. I am now co-president of the organization and other type ones are now my best friends. This has changed my life and the way I care for this disease in the best way. After becoming more involved with JDRF and the online type 1 community, I have met so many incredible people. Let’s be real, diabetes sucks…but you just have to take it as it comes and adjust to situations.

Raquel Baron