Embracing a New Normal: College, Community, and Type 1 Diabetes

Living with Type 1 Diabetes: More Than Just “Having Sugar”

On a recent episode of the “Out & About with Antionette” podcast, host Antionette Blake sat down with Sarah Lancaster, a student at Delaware State University and passionate advocate for Type 1 Diabetes awareness. Their candid discussion was more than just a personal story—it was a powerful reflection on health, resilience, and the importance of education, especially among young people navigating this diagnosis.

The Early Days: From a Healthy Upbringing to a Life-Altering Diagnosis

Sarah’s upbringing was rooted in a balanced, Southern lifestyle. “I was a kid, I liked my sugar…but my mom always made sure, like, that’s not everything that you’re eating.” Summers spent in her family’s garden, and active days filled with modeling, painted a picture of robust health. Yet, diabetes doesn’t always follow the rulebook: “Diabetes is…hereditary. So it runs in my family,” Sarah shared, highlighting how even the healthiest habits can intersect with genetic fate.

At just 13, on Halloween night, Sarah’s world shifted when she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). “It was just on set on October 31st, Halloween night. I had been sick for months and didn’t realize it.” In those moments, years of unwittingly managing her blood sugar by drinking water and craving certain foods suddenly made sense.

Normalizing the Diagnosis: From Stigma to Conversations and Inclusion

Traditionally, diabetes has been a condition shrouded in stigma, especially in communities of color. “We think about sugar…Big mama got sugar, right?” Antionette mused, echoing a common generational perspective. Sarah’s journey has been about breaking through these old narratives.

A testament to how times are changing came with news of a Type 1 Diabetic Barbie doll, complete with a Dexcom glucose monitor—a symbol of normalization that, as Sarah noted, creates “learning curves for kids and adults.” These societal shifts are essential. “People will start to ask themselves those questions…and it will hopefully trickle into a…more knowledgeable topic.”

Owning Your Health: Navigating College, Parties, and Self-Care

College life is challenging enough, and managing a chronic illness can add a unique set of hurdles. For Sarah, communication is key. Whether alerting friends or notifying professors, she stresses the importance of letting others know about her diabetes. “If I fall out and y’ all hurt my body more than help my body…it’s going to be a problem…Communication is the first thing I would say.”

Sarah’s day-to-day health management is both pragmatic and insightful. She checks her blood sugar multiple times daily, tracks her carb intake, and surrounds herself with supportive peers. Her approach to social situations is refreshingly honest: “I don’t drink or smoke. In a party setting, I’ve got my bottle of water and maybe a little snack and I’m happy, I’m good, I’m having fun.”

The Food Connection: Choosing Whole Foods and Listening to Your Body

Driven by both necessity and choice, Sarah has become an advocate for whole, nutritious foods. “You really do have to break it down to the very basic things that you’re ingesting,” she explains, describing the shift from processed food to farmers’ market finds. She credits her improved health not only to the insulin she takes, but also to simple, restorative foods like broccoli, which “helps your pancreas produce insulin.”

Sarah’s lived wisdom is clear: listen to your body, enjoy moderation, and never underestimate the power of nutrition.

Giving Others Grace, Not Excuses

Sarah’s advice for newly diagnosed young people is deeply empathetic: “Give yourself grace, but don’t make any excuses.” There are tough days—she’s candid about moments of frustration or fatigue. But self-care and accountability go hand in hand. “There’s people depending on me…I want them to be able to see me live a healthy life as well as I want to be able to live a healthy life.”

Community, Advocacy, and Paying It Forward

Resources like the American Diabetes Association and the Delaware Diabetes Coalition provide support, scholarships, and community. As Sarah says, “Just make sure you do your research,” reminding listeners that local organizations can be a lifeline.

Sarah’s message is universal: “Value your life and make it invaluable.” Her journey serves as inspiration for anyone facing health challenges—and a testament to the power of self-advocacy, communication, and community support.

If you want to connect with Sarah Lancaster, she invites emails at SMLancaster22@students.desu.edu.

If you or someone you know is navigating a recent diabetes diagnosis, don’t hesitate to reach out, or visit your local diabetes foundations for support and guidance.

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