In order to bring a community of people together and spread awareness, senior Sophia Silovsky, decided to create an Instagram account that showcases her life living with Type 1 diabetes. 

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes sets up a person with a lifetime of regulation and awareness. This was the struggle that senior Sophia Silovsky faced when she was diagnosed at 18 months old with Type 1 diabetes, but this hasn’t stopped her from embracing who she is and making the most of her life.

“Type 1 diabetes is a chronic illness, meaning that I have to take care of my health 24/7,” Silovsky said. “There is no breaks when it comes to Type 1. I monitor my blood sugar to make sure it is in range all the time. I have to always make sure my bag is packed with enough supplies to expect every possible situation that might occur.” 

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, the hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy. Silovsky has to constantly check her blood sugar, and count her carbs after every time she eats. At times like this her disease could be considered a burden, but in some ways it is also a part of her.

 “I see Type 1 diabetes more as a part of me,” Silovsky said. “I’ve had this disease for almost the entirety of my life, so I don’t know a life without it. At times when my blood sugar is too high or too low, or my blood sugar and stress surrounding diabetes is affecting my day to day life, then I see it as a burden. Having a disease you have to monitor 24/7 can at times be a burden, but mostly Type 1 diabetes is a part of me.” 

This negative stigma around diabetes influenced Silovsky to create Instagram account to spread awareness.

“My goal is to spread awareness of Type 1 diabetes and its effects,” Silovsky said. “There is a negative stigma surrounding the word ‘diabetes,’ which should not be. By spreading awareness, I hope to let more people know that diabetes is not caused by eating one too many sweets or not exercising. It is a chronic disorder caused by my immune system attacking my beta cells that produce insulin.”

Silovsky’s Instagram allows her to connect with others who have diabetes and create a sense of community. Being able to relate and talk to someone going through the same experiences allows people to not feel isolated living with this disease. Positive communities such as this can only better the stereotype around diabetes, and will hopefully encourage people to open themselves up to others.