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Chronic illness can come with shame and stigmas that keep many of our stories in the dark. It takes courage to come out to the world with a diagnosis. That’s why we love it when celebrities choose to use their platform to open up chronic illness conversations!

Type 2 diabetes is no stranger to stigma, due to fat shaming and misinformation. Yet Halle Berry has proudly and gracefully shared her story with this common disease. She has shown that having diabetes is not something to be ashamed of — it hasn’t stopped her from having a successful career in modeling and acting! As many of our Friends have experienced, having a chronic condition helped her become the incredible woman she is:

“Diabetes turned out to be a gift… It gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was.”

Halle Berry (Business Telegraph)

Do you have a chronic illness hero? Someone who has been loud and proud about their experience? We’d love to hear it in our Friends in the Fight facebook group!

The post Halle Berry Opens Up About Type 2 Diabetes appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Isabelle Edwards is known across the internet as the Diabetes Diva, and if you ever have the privilege of meeting her, you will quickly understand why. Isabelle lives with type 2 diabetes, and her enthusiasm for life, her kindness, and her glamour are what you remember after spending time with her. She is a fierce advocate for those living with type 2 diabetes and is committed to raising awareness about the disease and life as a patient.

Isabelle found her voice after naturally overcoming obesity, a severe heart attack, gastroparesis distress, and the installation of a stomach pacer. In 2012, her journey continued as blood clots ravaged her right leg; she escaped two leg amputations resulting in being legally disabled. It’s no secret that Isabelle has faced serious health setbacks, but they have not brought her down.

Check out a few highlights from our exclusive interview with Isabelle below:

Can you tell us about a time you were challenged by your illness?

Throughout my journey with type 2 diabetes, I have had a number of different surgeries and have gone through periods when my mobility has been seriously limited. When I look back on my illness experience, I think the biggest challenge for me is not being able to work. I just don’t feel useful like I used to.  

I’m 51 years old now. Most of my friends are at the heights of their careers, and sometimes I worry that they cannot see or understand how many ways I am limited by my illness. Diabetes can be invisible to others. I don’t always look sick. So sometimes people think I’m exaggerating about my symptoms, or that I’m seeking attention, or that I don’t want to work. I’ve really struggled with that. 

What about a time when you overcame a challenge?

After I was diagnosed, I had some serious issues with my legs. I had doctors tell me I would never walk again, never work again, and never drive again. I wasn’t going to accept that. So through my stubbornness and my pride, I found alternative and unconventional ways to maintain the independence I craved. At one point, I had to teach myself how to walk again. I may not walk “normal,” but every day, I find the strength to push myself. I try to be the best version of myself every day, and my illness has taught me how to do that. I’ve learned so much about myself through this journey. 

What role have medical devices played in your life as a patient?

They have saved my life. I have a stomach pacer and a heart defibrillator. I’m like a bionic woman!

I have gastroparesis and diabetes, so my stomach and brain don’t communicate properly. When I first got really sick with gastroparesis, my stomach wasn’t emptying my food. Getting diagnosed was a real challenge because I didn’t have a standard case, so it made it very hard for doctors to find the right remedy. When they ultimately realized a stomach pacer would be the best option, my insurance company wouldn’t cover it. I had to fight for coverage while my organs were shutting down. It was hard, but I won that battle. That experience is ultimately what led me to become an advocate for other patients. 

How have issues with medical device securement impacted your life as a patient? 

As someone who lives with multiple medical devices and has gone through many, many surgeries, I know how important it is to have your lines and devices secured. As we make our way through life, experiences that can be standard for others can be so much more stressful for those of us who rely on medical devices – especially if we don’t “look sick.” Think about traveling, for instance; when medical devices are not secure, something as simple as a pat down or additional screening at the airport can be seriously dangerous. 

Products like Mastisol®, which allows patients to keep their devices secure for long periods of time, need to be easily accessible to patients. It should be a patient’s right to be informed of options and have freedom of product choice. I believe patients should have a choice in every service or product they need to put in and on their bodies. If a product like Detachol® will minimize the risk of injury-related adhesive removal, you should be able to choose that as part of your bundled healthcare needs. In today’s society, patients should be involved in the process of choosing the products that are best for them. 

What is one thing you wish people understood about life as a patient? 

Not all disabilities are visible. Disability and illness are not always something you can see. Being kind and gentle, regardless of their appearance, goes a long way. You don’t know what they have been through to get to where they are today. 

Do you want to follow Isabelle’s journey online? Connect with the Diabetes Diva on Instagram to learn more about how she turns her sickness into strength. 

For more information about superior device securement with Mastisol® and safe dressing removal with Detachol® please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare®, Inc., call 1‐877‐433‐7626 or visit Eloquest Healthcare using this link. 

This piece was created for Eloquest Healthcare^® in partnership with Mighty Well®. 

The post Meet Isabelle Edwards: Type 2 Diabetes & Gastroparesis Warrior appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

More than 29 million people live with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the United States. Managing diabetes can feel like a full-time job, and many of our Friends in the Fight are taking time every day to care for their bodies and turn sickness into strength while living with this chronic condition. If you are searching for a gift that shows you care, check out this diabetes gift guide for a list of the best gifts for diabetes patients!

1. Self Care Case

The Self Care Case was developed with diabetes patients in mind. Its sleek design will empower your loved one to organize and carry their diabetes supplies in style. Its hard shell protects against sharps and has a reinforced elastic grid specifically designed to hold diabetes supplies like insulin, a diabetes test kit, and an emergency snack to maintain blood sugar.

“This held EVERYTHING plus a week’s worth of my medication. I am a diabetic (type 2) and a breast cancer survivor. I take a multitude of pills, plus need to carry my diabetic test kit and an inhaler. Add to that alcohol, lances, bandages, and an emergency snack in case of low blood sugar and you got a lot of stuff that I should carry around but just don’t!” – Review from a patient living with diabetes

2. A medical ID bracelet

Medical ID bracelets come in handy in times of crisis. They share important information about a person’s condition and emergency contact – and are especially helpful if the person can’t communicate in a moment of need. Many diabetics already have a medical ID bracelet, but it’s always nice to have different jewelry options that also share this important information. Check out the Queen Elizabeth Medical ID bracelet from Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Jewelry!

3. A cookbook or cooking class

It is hard enough to prepare healthy food at home, but it can be especially challenging for people living with diabetes. A cookbook full of safe recipes, or a cooking class specifically focused on safe food for people with diabetes can help create a healthier and more positive relationship with food. You could even consider cooking a meal specifically for your loved one! One small gesture can make a world of difference.

4. Fitbit

At least 42 factors influence blood sugar, and data is an underused resource for managing and monitoring health with diabetes. Fitbit and Apple Watch are both releasing apps to help track blood sugar live, allowing your loved ones to live a full life without having to stop and check their blood sugar multiple times a day. Read more about how tracking data with a Fitbit can help improve quality of life here.

5. Donate to a diabetes organization

At Mighty Well, we’re committed to supporting the nonprofits and foundations that share our mission to help patients access the support, relationships, and resources they need to thrive while living with a severe or chronic illness. Donating to a diabetes organization like the American Diabetes Association in the name of your loved one can be a kind way to impact their life and the lives of the millions who live with this disease every day.

The post Diabetes Gift Guide: The Best Gifts for Diabetes Patients appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Photo by Erika Young

Every month, we feature Friends in the Fight from our Mighty Well community who have stories on how they turned their sickness into strength. We hope that by reading their stories, you will be inspired to keep going and keep fighting despite the many challenges.

This month, we bring you Erika Young: a 30-year-old young professional with Type 1 Diabetes and a Mighty Well model. Her illness didn’t stop her from pushing the boundaries of her physical limits. She has run marathons worldwide, including a 150-mile trek through Turks and Caicos.

Here are a few highlights from our interview with Erika:

Along with pushing myself to new physical limits, I also wanted to challenge myself in other ways and become the best version of myself because the reality is, any day could be my last.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Erika – I’m a 30-year-old young professional living and working in Boston. I have a great rescue pup named Hunter, who is my buddy in crime. We often go on runs, hikes, and swims together, and he is also my emotional support animal.

As a former collegiate athlete, I am still very much active today, and I like to run, bike, and swim. I am also involved within the community, as I volunteer for three non-profits. When I am not running around or volunteering, you can find me taking pictures, traveling, or enjoying good food.

I am a Type 1 Diabetic, and I was diagnosed on Christmas Eve, 2014, at the age of 26. One minute I am eating Chinese food with my family, and the next, I am in the ER with a blood sugar of 700 (normal blood sugar is 8-120).

Do you think your experience with illness has given you strength? How?

Living a normal life was a thing of the past, so the only thing I could do was embrace my diagnosis and live life to the fullest.

My diagnosis has definitely made me stronger as a person, and I am constantly pushing myself. I refuse to let my disease define me or hold me back from accomplishing anything.

Most Type 1 Diabetics are diagnosed as children, which is why the disease is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, and they grow with Type 1. It becomes the only thing they know. Their parents and loved ones also have to learn about the disease because they are the people who manage it, administer shots, test blood sugars, change pump sites, calibrate CGMs, etc.

I was living on my own during the time of my diagnosis, and the only person I had to look after me was myself. My parents and siblings are very hands-off and know little about Type 1. I had to hold myself accountable, and l became fiercely independent.

Living a normal life was a thing of the past, so the only thing I could do was embrace my diagnosis and live life to the fullest. Since my diagnosis, I have run two 1/2 marathons, a full marathon, road in several 50-mile bike races, competed in triathlons, and road 180+ miles for cancer research.

I was also sponsored by the diabetes company One Drop and embarked on a 150-mile trek through Turks and Caicos with two other Type 1 diabetics to raise awareness about the disease. Next summer, I am competing in Ironman 70.3 and will run another marathon.

Would I have accomplished as much if I was never diagnosed with Type 1? Probably not.

Along with pushing myself to new physical limits, I also wanted to challenge myself in other ways and become the best version of myself because the reality is any day (any low blood sugar) could be my last.

What was it like to model for Mighty Well?

I love everything that Mighty Well stands for: turning sickness into strength!

It was such a great experience to be involved with like-minded individuals who live life everyday despite their illnesses and struggles. Emily was so great to work with. She is truly dedicated and passionate about Mighty Well, and that is something I recognized immediately upon meeting her. You can’t ignore her infectious positive energy, and I love everything about Emily and what Mighty Well stands for turning sickness into strength!

Is there anything else you want the Mighty Well® Community to know about you and your work?

Everyone has bad days, illnesses or not. But it’s what you make of those bad days that defines you. I suffered a bad string of high blood sugars during my marathon training and had to spend a night in the hospital, but I was determined to not let it deter me from my goal.

I ran 16 miles the next day to prove to myself that I could do this whole marathon thing and I was not going to let high blood sugar/ diabetes stop me. I feel like if you remain positive and continue to push yourself, you can accomplish anything.

The post Be inspired: Life as an Athlete, Runner & Type-1 Diabetic appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

My name is Emily Pierri. I am 17 years old, and I have been chronically ill for 8 years. My diagnoses are Type One Diabetes, Endometriosis, ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Gastroparesis and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome).

One of the hardest things about living with multiple chronic illnesses is the constant internal battle to stay strong despite all of your suffering. I like to always reflect on the ways my illnesses have made me stronger a person despite all the challenges I have faced.

Read her blog below: 

1. I HAVE BECOME AN ADVOCATE, NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESS FIGHTERS

It’s important to be my own advocate when it comes to fighting multiple illnesses because these illnesses are “invisible.”  Over the years, I have learned how to properly advocate for myself in front of doctors and stand up for the treatment I deserve. Through this journey, I have also developed a passion for advocating for other chronic illness sufferers out there, because no one deserves to feel alone.

2. SUFFERING HAS MADE ME APPRECIATE ALL OF THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE

My illnesses have made me appreciate little things as simple as going out to the grocery store or the mall on a good day. When you are sick and in pain, it’s not easy to get out of the house often, so when you do, it makes you appreciate it that much more!

3. GAINING KNOWLEDGE OF MY ILLNESSES

Over the past couple years, I have been to so many doctors and have gathered tremendous information about my illnesses. I have also joined online support groups to see what other patients in my situation are doing and to see if there are any options out there that I haven’t heard about yet. My growing knowledge on my illnesses has helped me immensely and has given me new treatment opportunities I would never have known existed if I weren’t fighting to find more information. Knowledge is key to finding the best treatment options for you! I have learned to be more open about sharing my journey with the world.

4. I’VE LEARNED TO BE MORE OPEN ABOUT REVEALING MY JOURNEY TO THE WORLD

When I first got really sick, I never talked about it, nor shared it on my social media. As I got worse, I began to realize how important it is to spread awareness and share my journey with others, so I started an Instagram account (@chronically_emily), which now has over 5k+ followers. On my profile, I share the good, the bad, and the ugly of my life with chronic illnesses.

From my perspective, I want to help as many people as possible. It has also been therapeutic for me, as I’ve also been able to meet some pretty wonderful people, who are illness fighters, just like me. I also have a YouTube channel where I share my day-to-day life in vlogs, which consists of sit-down videos talking about my different illnesses (educating people on what they are and spreading awareness).

5. AMBITION LEADS TO SUCCESS!

Back in October 2016, I had a procedure, which landed me in the ER the following night due to complications. That next day I was scheduled to take my driving test, so I spent the night in the ER from 2-6am, got home, went to practice parallel parking one last time, and drove to take my test…and I PASSED! It took all of my strength to do this, but I had wanted my driver’s license for so long and worked way too hard to give up this opportunity.

I think it is so very important, especially when you are chronically ill, to have goals and ambitions in life despite all of the challenges you face with your health.

Got more questions about PICC Line?  Join us in our Friends in the Fight Group to connect with our community. 

The post My Illness Has Made Me Stronger appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

My disorder has taught me not to take anything for granted, to be strong, and most importantly, that even though I won’t get any taller, I still have lots of room to grow. 

The post Living With Turner Syndrome appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.