My Mother was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with me later turning into Type 1 Diabetes. Meaning, her pancreas no longer produced insulin for energy. From then on her life was changed. Taking her blood sugar up to six times a day using a finger prick, injecting herself with insulin, calculating carbohydrates, and managing her A1C. All the while she experienced extreme fatigue, thirst, and frequent bouts of pneumonia and other ailments as T1 greatly affects your immune system. The last five years of her life she encountered end stage kidney failure, strokes, diastolic heart failure, vascular dementia, and crushed her entire thoracic spine. T1 proved devastating. 

My mom was an incredible, selfless, vivacious woman who enjoyed onion rings, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, cashmere sweaters, romance novels, The Rolling Stones, and very small angry dogs who only seemed to like her.  She was the most supportive mother I could have ever asked for.

My mom wasn't defined by diabetes, her memories will live on from the times she was healthy and prosperous. She'll be remembered by her laugh, her smile, and the wonderful memories we all share with her and not for the Type 1 Diabetes that took her life.