Friday 11/7/2025
What I Know Now...Diabetes Awareness Month
This month hits close to home for me.
Most people think diabetes looks one way — something that happens in childhood or is strictly tied to lifestyle. But there's so much more to this story.
I didn't know that type 1 diabetes — the autoimmune kind where the pancreas stops producing insulin — can strike at any age. I didn't know that the average age of onset is actually 26. And I certainly didn't know how much life could change in a single moment…
Until my daughter Emily was diagnosed at 19.
One day she was a healthy college student. The next, we were learning an entirely new language:
- Glucose levels
- Insulin dosing
- Carb counting
- Risk of sudden lows
- Technology like pumps and continuous glucose monitors
There was no family history. No warning. No cure.
Those early weeks were overwhelming — the fear of doing something wrong, the constant calculations, the realization that this would be every single day for the rest of her life. But we learned. We adapted. And Emily has shown a strength I'm still in awe of.
✅ WHAT I KNOW NOW
Since then, I've learned so much that I wish more people knew:
• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease — not caused by sugar or weight
• It requires insulin to survive — every single day, no exceptions
• Adults in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s can be diagnosed with type 1
• Early detection saves lives — and prevents devastating complications
⚠️ WARNING SIGNS AT ANY AGE
If sharing our story helps even one person recognize these symptoms sooner, it's worth every word:
- Extreme thirst and frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or infections
If you or someone you love experiences these symptoms, don't wait. See a doctor immediately.
📌 WANT TO LEARN MORE?
I wrote a much deeper dive into the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes — plus screening tests, risk factors, and what to watch for at any age.
👉 Read the full post here: November is Diabetes Awareness: Why This is Important to Me -
💙 HOPE & ACTION
Here's what keeps us going: We are closer than ever to breakthroughs.
Advancements in treatments — and real progress toward a cure — give us hope every single day. But research doesn't fund itself.
That's why I'm once again participating in the Breakthrough T1D Walk — not just for the millions living with type 1 diabetes, but especially for my daughter.
If you feel called to support, here's my Walk page where donations help accelerate research and improve lives:
Donate here: Breakthrough T1D Walk, Southwest Florida: Wendy Flaherty - BreakthroughT1D Walk
No amount is too small. Every step, every dollar, moves us closer to a cure.
Thank you for reading — and for being part of this community that cares, learns, and grows together.
Until next time,
Wendy
OverSixtyInsights — What I Know Now
P.S. Living with type 1 diabetes is challenging. If you or a loved one are navigating this journey, please know: you're not alone, and you're doing better than you think. Check out my Blog Post above for links to more resources.
P.S.S. What's on your mind, I would love to hear from you...Email Me
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