Type 1 diabetes something I’d only ever vaguely heard of, and never imagined would become part of our lives. My little girl was just 2 and a half years old when everything changed.

She was fading before my eyes, and somehow, I didn’t see it. The signs were all there but I chalked it up to toddler behavior. It wasn’t until I noticed how much she was drinking and going to the toilet that something finally clicked. I turned to Doctor Google… and suddenly, everything made sense. Every symptom lined up.

I got her tested immediately.

At 5:30 PM on November 11, 2022, we rushed her to the hospital. She was in DKA, with her ketone levels sitting at 6.2. When the nurse looked at us and said the words, “She has Type 1 diabetes,” it hit like a ton of bricks.

How could this be real? How was this now our life?

We were thrown into a world of carb counting, insulin dosing, hypos, highs, needles… so many needles. It was overwhelming and terrifying. But we had no choice but to learn and fast.

After six months of brave little jabs every single day, she was finally able to start on an insulin pump. Fewer needles. More freedom. A tiny bit of relief.

To make her new pump feel more like a fun accessory and less like a medical device, I started creating colorful, comfy pump belts just for her. It gave her something to smile about and gave me something to focus on.

Now, I’d love to share those creations with other families walking the same road. If I can bring even a little bit of joy and comfort to another Type 1 warrior, then it’s all been worth it.