At the crack of dawn, tens of boys would rush to the Cannan Street Lake, fearlessly plunging their bare bodies into the icy cold water of the lake. I would be one of the first among these boys, up on Mt. Cardigan, smug afterwards that I got to wear the prize, a Polar Bear tie. We were freezing in the freezing New Hampshire winter water but it didn’t matter because we achieved the impossible, together. Every day for an entire month, we would have to wake up at the break of daw

I was 16 when my life got flipped upside down. It started with a headache that wouldn’t go away for over a week. I usually don’t take medicine and just live through a cold, but this time it was something I couldn’t bear. Then came the thirst, no matter how much water I drank, I was still so thirsty. I also started going to the bathroom all the time. At first, I thought it was just a cold, but when it became too hard to handle, I went to the health center. They gave me some me

Now that it’s my second year since being diagnosed with T1D, I finally feel comfortable enough to try the pump. My doctor recommended it to me last year, but at the time, I didn’t feel ready. Being a junior with all the college prep work, and living alone in a dorm, made me uncomfortable about starting something new like that. So I told my doctor I’d try it in the last few months of my senior year instead. Now I actually feel ready. I can count my carbs pretty well. I’d say I

The day I was diagnosed, my world felt like it was turned on its head. Suddenly, my life as a student and athlete was weighed down by a new, overwhelming reality. Every day felt like a struggle, and I was constantly worried about falling behind. But somewhere in the chaos, I made a choice. I decided I wasn't just going to get through this illness, I was going to own it. That shift was everything, but what truly gave me hope was realizing I wasn't alone. I’ll never forget comi

One of the most common reaction with T1D people is that we know nearly nothing about T1D until we get it. Most of us know almost nothing about it until one day, it suddenly shows up, like a car accident. Out of nowhere, you’re told that you now have an incurable condition that you’ll have to manage for the rest of your life. Some people are diagnosed at 7 months old, some like me at 16, and others even at 48. Everyone reacts with confusion. Someone diagnosed at 48 might think

When I first heard that I had T1D, one of the first things I thought was that I wouldn’t be able to go to boarding school anymore. So my mom and I started looking into international schools in Korea. But there were no openings anywhere, every school told us we’d have to go on the waiting list. We even started looking into unaccredited schools just in case. I thought staying in Korea would be better since my parents could be nearby to help, and honestly, I didn’t think I could

While my T1D journey is personal, I didn’t go through it alone. I am so grateful for the healthcare professionals in the U.S. who provided me with the detailed care and knowledge that empowered me to take control of my health. Their guidance was invaluable and gave me the confidence to navigate this new chapter of my life. But what truly carried me through were the people closest to me. My advisor was the first person I called. He drove two hours on a Sunday, just weeks after

During summer break, my friends and I decided to do something like the T1D Walk in Korea. Instead of walking, we chose to ride bikes, since that is something we always did together. Riding the city bikes in New York is one of our favorite activities and we wanted to ride together in Korea as well. One of my friends volunteered to make our poster. When I saw the design, he had written “Child Diabetes” instead of “Type 1 Diabetes.” But that was okay. I knew he did it because he

My T1D diagnosis let me experience the difference in the hospital systems in the US and Korea. I was diagnosed when I was in school in the US. My care was a comprehensive education. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital, and doctors and nurses patiently taught me how to count carbs, how to calculate my insulin doses, and how to manage my condition. It felt incredibly detailed and empowering. Having known nothing about T1D before, and so scared, however the two weeks in the hospital

I've been relatively healthy my entire life. No broken bones, no major injuries. So when I was diagnosed with T1D, I kept asking myself, "Why did this happen? Why did it have to be me?" But that's when I realized, everybody struggles. It’s not just me with a physical illness. Everybody is fighting a battle you know nothing about, whether it's a family issue or a personal challenge. This just happens to be mine. After all, I'm a part of the generation that went through three y

T1D forced me to slow down and truly listen to my body. Before, I would ignore a headache or push through fatigue, convincing myself it was nothing. Now, every signal, whether it’s a sudden wave of tiredness, shaky hands, or even a change in mood, is a piece of crucial information I can’t afford to dismiss. Checking my blood sugar, learning what every number means. My doctor told me that if I keep ignoring the early signs of low blood sugar, my body could get “used to it.” Th

I love playing sports, including cross-country, rowing, soccer, and tennis. If T1D had stopped me from participating in these, it would have made me so depressed, but no way, no way. I just learned that I need to ensure my sugar level doesn't drop. If I can control that, I can continue playing sports and actually play more, so I stay healthy. It's a great relief, both physically and mentally. What I do is, before practice, I take a full snack, like a nutrition bar, that can h

As someone who continues to travel between the US and Korea, I'd like to share some tips on how to travel as a person with T1D. At first, I was confused, but after a few travels, research, and experiences, I can share my insights that I hope will help you as well. For insulin, you need to carry it in your carry-on bag, not in your checked-in luggage. It’s because insulin is very sensitive to temperature, and it needs to be kept at a very stable temperature. However, if you pu

I remember the afternoon where I was rushed to the emergency room because I had no energy and the school nurse who took my blood glucose level saw numbers that were beyond what they could measure. I was put in the ICU and my aunt had to rush down from Boston. What she heard at the ICU was that I had diabetic ketoacidosis (“DKA”) which could have led to a life-threatening situation if I had been sent to the emergency room even just one day later. Because of this risk, there ar