T1D Through the Eyes of a Sister: “My Brother is my Hero”

Meet Lydia Manes, an occupational therapy student at the University of Toledo, and sister to a T1D superhero. Read more to hear Lydia and her brother’s story and what inspired her to write a picture book on type 1 diabetes:

“When my brother was diagnosed with T1D at the age of six, I was overwhelmed with fear for his life and future. He was very sick when we first learned of his condition. Immediately after his diagnosis, he was life-flighted to a children’s hospital, where he was admitted for several days. The real challenge did not end when he left the hospital-it had only just begun.

Once my brother came home, every aspect of his life had to change. His eating habits, daily routines, health management, and both his physical and emotional well-being were all affected as our family learned to navigate his life with T1D. As a family, we learned to adjust to his new normal, and over time, my brother developed the skills and independence needed to control his T1D. Now, at 15 years old, he manages his condition with confidence and lives a fulfilling life.

To help others understand what living with T1D is like and to foster a sense of inclusion, I wrote and illustrated a picture book that tells my brother’s story. My hope is that it will not only educate others about this challenging condition, but also inspire empathy and support for those living with T1D”. 

To read Lydia’s picture book, click this link and and then click “Download” on the website page: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/honorsprojects/633/