Inspirational Stories

^{Insulet has paid a fee to engage Joanna as a content creator and has an ongoing commercial relationship with Joanna as a Sponsored Podvocate, however the views expressed in this testimonial are solely those of Joanna.}

^{Insulet has paid a fee to engage Joanna as a content creator and has an ongoing commercial relationship with Joanna as a Sponsored Podvocate, however the views expressed in this testimonial are solely those of Joanna.}

^{Insulet Corporation has paid a fee to engage Judy as a content creator and has an ongoing commercial relationship with Judy as a Sponsored Podvocate, however the views expressed in this testimonial are solely those of Judy.}

Well, hello everyone! I want to start off by introducing myself and telling you about how I found out my pancreas was a little lazier than the average person's. More specifically, how I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It’s probably a good idea to start with my name.

For all my life, all I have known is one thing: type 1 diabetes. As a child, as a teen, and even now as a young adult, diabetes has accompanied me through every season of my life from the day I was diagnosed at 15 months old.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in March 2018, 10-year-old Paytan has faced a number of obstacles. Her Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System has helped her manage her diabetes and overcome these barriers that once seemed insurmountable. 

The summer of 2022 emerged like a tour de force to lead us out of the cold, dark, and pandemic-filled winter of 2021. And as restrictions lifted around the globe, things shifted.

Type 1 diabetes is a double-edged sword. For most of my life, the word diabetes would make me shudder.  It would make me recall moments of anguish, fear, stress, and a tremendous weight that comes along with a chronic illness. The word diabetes also made me feel completely alone.

This year, I challenge you to take a really honest look at how you think about yourself and your diabetes.

Parenthood presents a unique set of challenges when you live with a chronic condition like type 1 diabetes. But those situations offer equally unique opportunities to teach your children about patience, compassion, and understanding.

For me, being a teenager with type 1 diabetes (T1D) was lonely. It’s supposed to be the age where kids just pick up and go on crazy unplanned adventures without a second thought. Having T1D, I didn’t feel comfortable with that.

I can remember what it felt like those first few weeks.
My little girl was only three years old, with numerous other complications & disabilities including ones that made communicating difficult.