Meet T1D Momma, Michelle H.
Michelle Hale, 8 months pregnant in Hong Kong.
T1D Sugar Mommas, Diabetes and Me
I have three kids: TJ, Zane and Diabetes. Sometimes I’m not sure which one needs more attention. Sometimes I just want to hide from all three (you know, like at the salon getting a manicure). Diabetes is relentless, just like children, you need to make it a priority and nourish it with tender loving care.
I have taken care of my diabetes in different ways during the different stages of life. Planning for pregnancy, being pregnant and post-birth come with extremely different perspectives and goals. The common thread through all these stages is mindset. Trying to be mentally strong enough to motivate myself to eat healthy, get some exercise and reduce stress.
I reduce diabetic stress by assessing what I need to support my diabetic journey and take action. Sometimes I don’t know what I need. But we find, what we seek. I hope this story inspires you to think about what you need to be your best diabetic self.
In 2015 I was in Dubai, pregnant and needed support. The miracle of being pregnant was at times overshadowed by a feeling of loneliness, as I craved diabetic support. Sure I had a doctor, endocrinologist, and even saw a nutritionist to work on a meal plan. But I needed connection, community and someone who was actually diabetic (not a health care professional who didn’t have time to get to know me).
Michelle Hale wore her Dexcom and Medtronic 640G pump throughout her pregnancy.
This feeling of emptiness led me to search diabetic groups on Facebook. I found a group called T1D Sugar Mommas and reached out to the founder Brooke, and she replied like a close friend that I’d known for years. First and foremost Brooke has five kids, so she knew what I was going through, without saying a word. The T1D Sugar Mommas is a group for women living with type 1 diabetes who are in family planning stages, pregnant or who have young children.
I am passionate about sharing my story and this led me to start a blog called Global Diabetic. There is tremendous power in sharing our stories, especially when diabetes connects us.
T1D Sugar Mommas is a beautiful support system with women from all over the world, so there’s always someone online. We can ask questions, read other women's questions/replies, and be educated in a fun and interactive way. I enjoy hearing other women's experiences and see everyone support each other. T1D Sugar Mommas is a positive, supportive and empowering group that will always be the anchor that helped me through my diabetic pregnancy.
A year before my pregnancy, I met the T1D Sugar Mommas while on a trip to San Francisco. It was the first time since school that I spent time with other diabetics. Two babies and four years later, I went to diabetic camp with the group and it was the most diabetic fun I’d ever had. I was diagnosed when I was 14 and never got to attend diabetic camp, so going as an adult, gave me memories of a lifetime, and want to go back! Connecting deeper with the T1D Sugar Mommas at the camp gave me the energy boost I needed. The feeling of connection saves me from extreme diabetes burnout.
In my 23 years of diabetes one of the most important things I learned is that you don’t have to do this alone, to seek support and find the connections that enrich your life. When you look for what you need, you’ll find it. T1D Sugar Mommas was the support that matched what I needed. An online support that transitioned into a beautiful friendship. I encourage you to seek connection and support.
Find Michelle on Instagram at @globaldiabetic
