#1052 After Dark: Restaurateur

Life with Diabetes

Nicole shares her lifelong journey with type 1 diabetes, having been diagnosed at just 21 months old. Growing up, her family's life revolved around managing the disease, with her sister living as if she had diabetes too, which Nicole found supportive rather than isolating 1. Her mother was proactive in educating Nicole's school about her condition, ensuring that everyone knew how to respond in emergencies 1. Nicole reflects on her childhood, saying, "There was no life before diabetes. It was just always what I did" 2.

   

Food Choices

Managing food choices with diabetes involves a delicate balance, as Nicole explains. She recounts her childhood experiences with structured meal plans, where her parents practiced a form of carb counting without focusing on numbers 3. As an adult, Nicole continues to navigate these challenges, often choosing to avoid foods she finds difficult to manage, like cupcakes, due to the unpredictability of their carbohydrate content 4. "Sometimes I can't be bothered with the headache of trying to figure it out," she admits, highlighting the ongoing complexity of dietary management 4.

   

Mental Health

The psychological challenges of living with diabetes are significant, as Nicole discusses her fear of insulin-induced lows. Despite having good control, she admits to being "very afraid of insulin yet, but not on base" due to past experiences 5. Therapy has been a part of her journey, helping her explore underlying trauma and emotional challenges, including feelings of abandonment from her father 6. Nicole reflects on her past struggles with diabetes management, noting the shame associated with being labeled a "bad diabetic" and the pressure to meet clinical expectations 7.