After many years of thinking about it, Padmaja is ready to share her story and journey with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in hopes of actively doing more for the T1D community.

T1D is a chronic condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels, insulin therapy, diet, and exercise are all part of controlling and treating T1D. It’s not at all caused by eating too many chocolates as a kid!

In fact, Padmaja was just 5 years old when she was first diagnosed with T1D. The memory of that time remains vivid for her, but what she remembers the most is her mother’s simple ideas that helped her manage her sugar levels, like the suggestion of taking a walk after a meal. It sounds rather unassuming, but it’s something that is still helping her to this day, making her feel stronger and healthier than ever.

Her goal by sharing her story is to help eliminate the stigma and negative outlook on life with Type 1 Diabetes in India and abroad!

Living with T1D hasn’t always been the easiest for her, but it has certainly taught her the values and discipline that has helped her become who she is today. She remains grateful to all those who have stood by her at times when she wasn’t quite sure how to manage or handle her diabetes. For example, how her mother’s unwavering support, love and care helped her thrive. Now she hopes to pay that support forward by trying to do the same for others who are dealing with Type 1 Diabetes!

Since sharing her experiences with T1D she has received a lot of questions about how she manages it. As we all know, one size does not fit everyone in the same way. For her, having an active lifestyle, with an emphasis on movement like going on post meal walks, or trying sports like tennis, or even trying something like learning a new dance have been some fun ways that have been super beneficial. Having been diagnosed at an early age, she has had the opportunity to learn more and become more confident and positive with T1D as she continued through life. She learned how to separate the noise from the real information she required and refused to accept that she would fail.

She strongly believes that it is time that those diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes can see a bright future for themselves. For those recently diagnosed, she’d like to remind you to get accurate information and stay positive. It won’t be an easy journey, but it will be worth it! She encourages you to find one to two things that work specifically for you especially when things aren’t going according to plan. Creating your own plan for managing along with your doctor is vital so that next time you are facing a challenging situation, you have a plan ready to go for whatever may arise. Find your impossible and make it possible!

Whether you have T1D or not, always strive to live your best and healthiest life!