Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange.
It was right before my 5th birthday. I returned from sleep away camp and was looking forward to my birthday party with a Baskin Robbin’s ice cream cake and my mother’s Hershey’s best ever brownies, but instead. My mother took one look at me and took be to the hospital where I was diagnosed with T1D. Oh well. As the saying goes, shit happens. At least we have so many new treatments options available to use now. The doctors told my mom that I probably wouldn’t make it to the age of 30 or 40 (I forget), and I am now 62.
It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed – my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
I had been telling my medical professional parent for a month about my symptoms. My mom commented that it could be diabetes since her great-grandparents had it, but no. I was working at my dad’s clinic, he was a doctor, and he had me go get a blood draw in the afternoon. After his birthday dinner, we stopped by to get the results. He said my BG was about 450. I started on oral medications right then. About nine months later I needed insulin injections. I was 18 and vowed it wouldn’t change my life. It has changed every aspect of it. Every year on my dad’s birthday I remember how it started and what’s happened over the last 38 years.
In April, 1955. Because I had missed so many school days with measles, chickenpox and rubella, one right after the other, my mom waited for the first day of what is now labeled “Spring break” to take me to the pediatrician. After a urine test in his office he said to go to the hospital. I was hospitalized a whole month.
My thumbs up is NOT for the b@stards firing you, ma’am. I hope that company has gone ‘bust’ now. I’m glad that laws are now in place that SHOULD prevent that sort of thing from happening nowadays.
December 1983. Not sure the exact date, but it was about 6 weeks after becoming symptomatic. Didn’t know what it was, but felt awful, plus the peeing/thirst thing, which I didn’t even know was related to the other symptoms. I was in grad school at the time and it was nearing end of term. I thought student stress might be making me feel so sick. Doc said “Probably your wife wouldn’t have been able to wake you up tomorrow if you hadn’t come in.”
Got sick with the classic symptoms in late November 1962 after a bout with the mumps virus earlier that fall. Went into hospital and started on insulin injections December 26, 1962. Was inpatient hospitalized for three weeks learning how to live with juvenile “sugar diabetes ” .
Himmm.. About 70 years ago… I am even not sure of the year exactly…
70 years. I hope you are doing well. This gives the rest of us hope.
It was right before my 5th birthday. I returned from sleep away camp and was looking forward to my birthday party with a Baskin Robbin’s ice cream cake and my mother’s Hershey’s best ever brownies, but instead. My mother took one look at me and took be to the hospital where I was diagnosed with T1D. Oh well. As the saying goes, shit happens. At least we have so many new treatments options available to use now. The doctors told my mom that I probably wouldn’t make it to the age of 30 or 40 (I forget), and I am now 62.
March 4, 2004, misdiagnosed Type 2. March 29, correctly diagnosed with LADA. I was 48.
My diaversary is eight days before my birthday, both of which are in April.
It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed – my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
I had been telling my medical professional parent for a month about my symptoms. My mom commented that it could be diabetes since her great-grandparents had it, but no. I was working at my dad’s clinic, he was a doctor, and he had me go get a blood draw in the afternoon. After his birthday dinner, we stopped by to get the results. He said my BG was about 450. I started on oral medications right then. About nine months later I needed insulin injections. I was 18 and vowed it wouldn’t change my life. It has changed every aspect of it. Every year on my dad’s birthday I remember how it started and what’s happened over the last 38 years.
The 13th of December 1973, lucky number 13 🍀 and I was thirteen at that time.
Wow. I was December 1973 as well. I was 18.
Admitted into the Hospital on Mar. 20 1964, 59 years ago but I knew I was diabetic in Aug or Sept 1963, just too embarrassed to admit it.
In April, 1955. Because I had missed so many school days with measles, chickenpox and rubella, one right after the other, my mom waited for the first day of what is now labeled “Spring break” to take me to the pediatrician. After a urine test in his office he said to go to the hospital. I was hospitalized a whole month.
May 8th at 4:30pm – I was at work when I got the call from my doctor. I was fired from my job at 5:00 pm. A day that will live in infamy.
@Kristi McAndrews-Litton
My thumbs up is NOT for the b@stards firing you, ma’am. I hope that company has gone ‘bust’ now. I’m glad that laws are now in place that SHOULD prevent that sort of thing from happening nowadays.
Either the end of May or the first of June. At the time I didn’t think it was that important to know the exact date.
December 1983. Not sure the exact date, but it was about 6 weeks after becoming symptomatic. Didn’t know what it was, but felt awful, plus the peeing/thirst thing, which I didn’t even know was related to the other symptoms. I was in grad school at the time and it was nearing end of term. I thought student stress might be making me feel so sick. Doc said “Probably your wife wouldn’t have been able to wake you up tomorrow if you hadn’t come in.”
April 1. Happy April Fool’s Day!
I do not understand why this data is important.
Diagnosed in September, right after Labor Day, in 1946. I’m 88 and still active, driving, and in general living a ‘normal’ life for someone my age.
I was diagnosed in February 12th, 1998 and received my 25Year Lilly award .
April 27, 1987
Diagnosed in the hospital then left on my dad’s birthday…happy birthday dad
Got sick with the classic symptoms in late November 1962 after a bout with the mumps virus earlier that fall. Went into hospital and started on insulin injections December 26, 1962. Was inpatient hospitalized for three weeks learning how to live with juvenile “sugar diabetes ” .