Words hurt: Katie’s diagnosis story
When Katie first found out she had diabetes, it changed everything. “I didn’t eat for like two or three days after I got my diagnosis,” she remembers. “I felt disgusting.” Katie was overwhelmed by the news and the stigma she felt from others. “People always say that diabetes is a ‘fat person’s disease,’ and there’s so much fat shaming around it.”
Because of these harsh words, Katie started thinking negatively about food. She felt like it was her enemy, and it made her health even worse. At the time, she was stuck in a tough situation, surrounded by people who didn’t care about her. “I was in a place where I was seen as a toy or an accessory—someone nobody really wanted,” she shared.
It took a lot of courage, but over a year ago, Katie left that environment. She finally found people who wanted her to be happy and healthy. “I’m finally surrounded by people who care and want me to be happy and healthy,” she said. With support from her friends and family, Katie started seeing food differently and began to take better care of herself.
“There are days where I just want to lay in bed and eat junk food, and that’s okay,” Katie says. “You don’t have to live on lettuce or vegetables alone.” She realized that she didn’t have to be perfect—she just had to keep trying. “You’re going to have good days and bad days, and that’s fine.”
One of the hardest parts for Katie was dealing with the idea that diabetes only happens to certain people. “Diabetes isn’t just a fat person’s disease. It’s a chronic illness that affects people in different ways.” This was an important lesson for her and something she wants others to understand. Today, Katie uses her experience to encourage others. “Find a group of people who are like you, who will walk this path with you. Having someone to remind you to take your meds, to eat when you forget—it makes the journey less scary and more manageable.”
Katie’s journey shows that with the right support and understanding, anyone can overcome the challenges of living with diabetes and break free from judgment and self-doubt.
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