My name is Alicia. I live in California with my husband, Greg, my older daughter, Ellory, and my younger daughter, Ainsley. Ainsley is 3 years old and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on 6/15/2010 at 26 months old.

Greg and I, like most people, knew almost nothing about Type 1 before we were diagnosed, and I do say we for a reason.  It is Ainsley who has to endure the blood sugar tests and the insulin shots (and, oh, how we wish we could bear it for her) but all of our lives have been redefined by Type 1 right along with her. The time since diagnosis has been sheer trial by fire as we attempt to educate ourselves on the vast number of subjects touching us now. We must learn about the disease and its various  treatments,  its risks, its clinical trials, its needs. We must integrate ourselves into an entirely new community. We must change the way we eat, the way we play, the way we live.

We realize more and more every day that we have only scratched the surface of the unique challenges that will now face us, the parents of a type 1 diabetic. That awareness is largely attributable to the amazing community of type 1 families who have opened their lives to us. A few we have met and spoken with in person. Far more have shared with us both directly and indirectly through the internet.  These caring, kind people – complete strangers – have sent us emails of encouragement, shared tools, answered questions. They have allowed us to watch video clips of their life with a type 1 child, a hugely valuable resource for the newly diagnosed. They have shared stories of their darkest hours and greatest triumphs and made us know that we are not alone.

This blog attempts to give back to the type 1  knowledge pool, and hopefully raise awareness and education in others. But, mostly, it will follow us –  as we raise Ainsley.