I was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age twenty-one, during my senior year of college, following many years of unexplained health problems. Little did I know that simply putting a name to my symptoms was just the beginning of a life-long journey. For several years I tried various oral methods of treating my symptoms, to no avail; years after my diagnosis, there was no improvement in my health. I felt like I was an unwilling rider on the world’s longest roller coaster, and all I wanted was to get off!

After I received my degree, I went on to a graduate program. I was a struggling student with no health insurance, no financial support, and an illness that was growing worse day by day. Then one day in 2003, when I found myself in the hospital with extremely high blood sugar, I knew I’d had enough. I was at the end of my rope, but diabetes doesn’t care about one’s emotions. It was then that I began my love-hate relationship with insulin therapy. I was lucky enough to have an endocrinologist at the hospital who fought the system and also my stubborn emotions in order to keep me hospitalized for an extended period of time and educate me about how to treat myself with insulin. It was a big shock to my system and my lifestyle, and I will admit that it has taken me years to become just “okay” at properly taking care of myself.

Nearly a decade later, I have moved beyond school and am now a professional film actress. My biggest challenge is balancing my career, which frequently requires travel and long hours, with my family life and my health requirements.

One day, as I sat in my doctor’s office thinking about how I could solve my problems with bruising caused by daily injections, I happened to see an advertisement for the i-port^® on the wall. I was not very concerned about the vanity of wearing the device, considering how painful and disfiguring the injections had become. My skin had built up so much scar tissue that injections were becoming very difficult to administer.

I expressed my interest in the device to my doctor, who immediately contacted her i-port^® representative. Patton Medical has been kind enough to provide me with patient assistance while my medical care program works on making the device part of my prescription plan.

Now, thanks to the i-port^®, when taking my injections, I barely pause long enough for anyone to notice, and people are frequently surprised to discover that I have insulin-dependent diabetes. When people get a glimpse of my i-port^®, they often ask about it, and I feel proud to represent a generation of young people with diabetes who are living their lives, unhindered by their disease.

I enjoy the freedom that the device gives me, and I can take it on and off as needed for wardrobe while on set. I will soon begin using an insulin pump, but even then the i-port^® will provide me with a break from the pump when needed. I will admit that I am still a long way from being a perfect person with diabetes, but the i-port^® has helped make insulin therapy second nature for me. I would still like to get off the roller coaster that is diabetes, but since that is not an option for me, I am grateful that the i-port^® is!