Home > About Us > In Our Own Words > L C 42 US

I got diagnosed with type one diabetes at age 10 with the usual sympoms

thirst, and weight loss. At age 16 I developed an eating disorder. I lost some weight by reducing my intake and running track. Then, out of nowhere, I started binging. I would buy numerous candy bars and eat them all. Somewhere around that time, I learned that if I did not "cover" those binges with insulin, I would not gain weight. People told me all about complications, but it felt so remote. So I kept going. It became habit.

Now I am 42 years old. I have lost two toes on my left foot, and had a below the knee amputation on my right side last August. I had a wound so big the doctors didn't think it could be saved. I have been in a wheelchair for about 7 years because I could no longer feel my feet. My legs got weak and my balance was terrible.
I have also had about 20 laser surgeries on my eyes. Thankfully, I have not had any extensive kidney damage, though it has been a while since I got that checked.

When I was fifteen, I set the school record for the two-mile run. Now I cannot walk. It's all because of diabulimia. If I can get one girl to seek treatment earlier, to try harder, to take that shot, then writing this will have been worth it. You can have diabetes, be active and maintain a healthy body weight.