"I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2002 when I was 7 years old.  After dealing with a bout of strep throat, my parents noticed that I was still exhibiting some sickly symptoms. I lost weight, I was drinking excessively (as a 7 year old, I was waking up in the middle of the night and drinking at least 3 full glasses of orange juice before heading back to bed), and urinating way too frequently. Ultimately, I was diagnosed and our lives were completely turned upside down. Looking back, I know how truly petrified my parents were - but they worked so, so hard to never let me see it. I am extremely lucky to have them as my parents and I would not be the person I am today without them. 

This November, I will be "celebrating" my 20th diaversary. The majority of my life has been manually keeping myself alive and performing functions that other people's bodies do without being told. It can be incredibly harrowing at times. Throughout these 20 years, I have been no stranger to chronic pain, constant needle pricks, high blood sugars, low blood sugars, and just general lethargy. Not to mention the deep, unrelenting loneliness and depression that comes with having a lifelong chronic illness for which there is no cure. 

In this country, it costs an astronomical amount of money to keep oneself alive and I am no exception. With insurance, my insulin costs over $200 every 4 months, and my insulin pump pods cost over $1,000 every 4 months. This does not include the extra doctor's visits that T1Ds experience, the gadgets that make my life a little easier, the higher life insurance costs, etc. The toll that this disease takes on a person physically and mentally is greatly exacerbated by the financial burden we are subjected to. 

Even though I am currently 27 years old and I've been paying for most of my diabetic supplies for a while now, I will never truly understand the sacrifices my parents made to ensure that I had a relatively healthy and happy childhood. I can't talk about my T1D history or my personal struggles without acknowledging theirs. This disease takes. It takes from everyone it touches. I'm thankful to be part of a support system and community that works to give back."

After receiving the money, she said, 

"I received the letter and check in the mail and I just want to send my sincere thanks to you again. This past month, I was slammed with an unexpected bill for my CGM and pod supplies and this gift is SUCH a blessing. 

Thank you again for your immense kindness - it is much appreciated.”

“I was diagnosed with Type one diabetes at 9 months old. I was taken in a helicopter as I was unresponsive. I was taken into foster care at 3 years old. My birth mother had abandoned me shortly after the diagnosis as it was too overwhelming for her and she started taking drugs again(she had been sober for 2 years). My grandmother took care of me, but she was disabled and was not financially stable. She also had no idea how to do the math. I was placed in a home where they adopted me at 7 years old and had moved around to different homes until then. While they were financially stable, they were abusive. I often was medically abused on top of emotional and physical abuse. There would be times where insulin and food would be harbored from me by putting locks on the “diabetic drawer”, fridge, and pantry. Or they would put an alarm on my door and I would not be allowed out. I went into DKA at 8 years old and fell into a short coma because of that and again at 15. This did not stop the abuse. I developed multiple eating disorders from 8th-11th grade. I went to the hospital several times during these years because of the effect it had on my diabetes.

A week after I turned 19, I finally had a car and a phone (I wasn’t allowed to work until I turned 18 and had to pay for both). I finally had enough saved up to survive out in the world on my own. So I left with nearly nothing other than a few bags, my car, and my phone. I then filed a restraining order on my adoptive parents, as suggested by an officer and cps worker.

I just turned 20. The past couple of years have been a struggle financially. While my mental health is better, my medical health definitely needs some work. I had medicaid throughout the years but even then, there were many times where i would run out or if i missed a few hours of work for an appointment, I wouldn’t be able to cover rent. As all of this is going on, i’m also currently in a CPS and custody battle with my adoptive parents to get my little sisters (currently 17 and 14 with nonverbal autism) out of that home. I could speak more on that, but that isn’t my story to share, that’s theirs. Anyways, on top of diabetes, I also had a mini stroke/brain bleed in December of 2023 which altered my lifestyle quite a bit. I still have trouble writing at times, i get frequent migraines, and my vision went from 20/15(better than perfect) to 20/40. And again, still struggling quite a bit financially.

I got a new job that pays more than I have ever gotten but still, 17/hr is not a livable income with diabetes. My car recently broke down the same day my insurance ended. Now, what could have been my insulin expenses or health insurance expenses has to go to a car payment every other week. I cut out many “extra” expenses months ago and there is truly nothing else I could cut out and live without.

The diabetic supplies totaled over $800. This person was without insulin and Purpose Through The Pain was able to financially support her so she could get the insulin and supplies she needed.

"Hi Andrea, I  received your information from my daughter Dr. at akron children's hospital . She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019 . Our medical supplies were usually covered thru Bcmh a program thru our local health department, since may of 2024 we have been paying out of pocket so I decided to reach out to purpose through the pain in hopes of some assistance. Medical supplies are omnipods thru akron children's pharmacy the cost is 901.14 and G7 sensors and insulin from premier pharmacy in Berlin that cost is 492.08 . We are in the process of  reapplying for the program thru Bcmh in hopes of being covered for her medical supplies again but will probably be a couple months."

Purpose Through the Pain was able to help them while waiting for the Bcmh programs support.