Devon’s DYS Journey

When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I didn’t know what to expect because it was super scary and full of unknowns. It was my senior year of high school and I was 17 years old. I was already feeling lost and being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was something I didn’t know if I was ready for. However, through being diagnosed, I was introduced to Diabetes Youth Services (DYS). I got to meet so many new people that understood what I was going through. People I could ask questions and vent to and know they could relate to how I was feeling. Through attending Connect Winter Retreat and Big Shots Camp, I learned how to manage type 1 diabetes myself from others who also were managing it. I learned so much from being around other type 1’s just like me. Camp is awesome because you feel normal there and everyone can relate to you. It has been an incredibly empowering feeling being able to continue to be a counselor and teach others to care for themselves. Just having had the opportunity to be in our little type one family has taught me that I wouldn’t change what happened to me even if I could. DYS has been a huge part of my growth as a person and has connected me to people I love with my whole heart.