Ciara was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998. Her family tackled the new challenges head-on, but as a child, she didn’t fully grasp how stressful it was for her parents or how it influenced her younger siblings' lives. Ciara loves being active, spending time at the lake, reading, and connecting with others living with diabetes.
One of the biggest challenges Ciara has faced is witnessing the stigma within the diabetes community. She has seen people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes argue over whose diabetes is more serious and people with type 1 diabetes make a point to distinguish themselves from those with type 2 diabetes. Ciara wants to change this conversation, emphasizing that there is no room for shame, blame, or stigma. She believes that to make changes in general society, the diabetes community must first eliminate stigma within itself.
Ciara’s father, who lived with severe mental illness and passed away in 2023, inspired her strength and resilience. She wishes people understood that living with type 2 diabetes is not caused by "poor decisions." Wearing a sensor has allowed her to plan ahead and see her glucose trends, which is crucial for managing diabetes well and maintaining quality of life. Although the alarms can be challenging, she prefers them over not having a device at all.
Ciara emphasizes the importance of community and connection for people with diabetes. She wants to change the conversation about what it truly means to live with diabetes, challenging the misconception that diabetes is self-inflicted. She aims to foster understanding, empathy, and impactful perspectives.
Attending diabetes camp changed Ciara’s life. Initially nervous, she left camp as the happiest kid ever, feeling empowered to say yes to challenges. This experience helped her become someone who embraces challenges. Recently, she has been proud of her work to help healthcare providers reduce shame, blame, and stigma for people living with diabetes.
Ciara recently went on a "biking and boating" tour around Croatia. Traveling with diabetes required extra planning, but it was 100% worth it. She had to consider factors that people without diabetes don’t need to think about, but the experience was incredibly rewarding.
Ciara is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show to raise awareness and funds for D-Camps. She hopes her story will inspire others and help send more kids to D-Camps.
Please show your support by helping Ciara reach her fundraising goal to send more kids to D-Camps!
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