Living with diabetes can be a struggle, a seemingly perpetual cycle of blood sugar monitoring, medication, and making lifestyle compromises for the sake of your health. At times, it can seem like you’re battling against your own body, and it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and even defeated.
But for every moment of despair, there are also moments of triumph. It’s those moments where you realize that you have the strength and resilience to thrive with this condition, that diabetes doesn't have to define you, that can keep you going.
Since we founded One Drop in 2014, we’ve been collecting diabetes success stories that capture those moments of triumph. It’s important to celebrate the big wins—a lowered A1C, getting off a medication you thought you’d be on for the rest of your life—to the everyday wins—an afternoon spent in your target blood sugar range, a time when you picked yourself up from a setback and began again.
On this page, you’ll find dozens of stories of celebrities and non-celebrities, people who understand what it feels like to hear the words “you have diabetes” from their doctor and find the strength and resilience to keep going when the going gets tough.
We get to know individuals from all walks of life who have been able to take control of their health, achieve their goals, and find joy and fulfillment while living with diabetes.
Every single one of these stories features a hardcore diabadass.
What’s a diabadass? Jeff Dachis, CEO and founder of One Drop, explains:
We Think People With Diabetes Are Diabadass
Consider bookmarking this page and coming back when you need some inspiration. We continually update this page with fresh, new stories.
Celebrities with Diabetes
Though they may have more resources than the average person, celebrities aren’t immune to the challenges of managing diabetes. Many of them have used their public platform to raise awareness around diabetes and inspire others on their health journeys. Check out some of our favorite stories about celebrities with diabetes.
The 2020 Grammy Awards: 6 Musicians With Diabetes
Sherri Shepherd: "Diabetes Saved My Life"
Dame Dash: "Diabetes Makes Me a Superhero"
Mariska Hargitay's Gestational Diabetes Story
Celebri-D of the Week: Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Athletes with Diabetes
Athletes face all kinds of physical challenges in pursuit of athletic excellence, but those who also have diabetes encounter an added level of complexity. Diabetes can affect nearly every part of the body, making it a potentially significant obstacle for people going for gold. Despite these challenges, many athletes with diabetes have achieved unbelievable success on the field and off, serving as inspiring examples of what can be done when diabetes is managed.
Diabetes at the Olympics: Kris Freeman Goes for Gold
How Jay Cutler Tackles Type 1 Diabetes
Mark Andrews: Tight End and Type 1 Diabetes Extraordinaire
Blind Powerlifter Finds Strength Through Community
Portraits of Possible: Meet Charles
What Golf Can Teach Us About Diabetes
Diabetes Advocates and Influencers
Nearly 4,000 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every day. For a certain few of them, a diabetes diagnosis becomes a rallying cry to take action and use their experience to inspire others. Thanks to social media, it’s now possible to tell your diabetes story, share resources, and create community in a way that wasn’t possible just a decade ago. We’ve gathered stories from diabetes advocates and influencers of all kinds. Get to know the doctors, designers, podcasters, artists, and bloggers who are bringing awareness to diabetes and changing lives as they do it.
More Than Numbers: I Am Greater Than My Highs and Lows
Meet Ben Tzeel, the Nutrition Guru Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Meet the Swedish Doctor with Diabetes Who's Transforming Chronic Condition Care
How One Woman Turned Her Diabetes Diagnosis into Her Life’s Mission
Greta Ehlers Is Carving Out a Community for LGBTQIA+ People with Diabetes
Writer Behind "I Have the Sugars" Breathes Fresh Air into Diabetes Dialogue
Meet Alex Durussel-Baker, Founder of Diabetes by Design
Bryanna Wilfong Finds Motivation to Manage Diabetes from Her Family
Meet Whitney Lewis from Happy Pancreas
Get to Know Sarah Johnson a.k.a. The Diabetic Cactus (Interview)
Meet Rob Howe: Diabetics Doing Things Podcast Founder
Get to Know Emily Davis, Founder of Chronically Healthy
The DESS (Diet, Exercise, Stress, Sleep) Approach to Type 2 Diabetes
Meet the Mighty Voice Behind Diagnosed Not Defeated
Diabetics Doing Things Podcast Founder: Meet Rob Howe
Type 1 Diabetes Success Stories
One of our core beliefs at One Drop is that diabetes doesn’t have to define you. You are so much more than your highs and lows. The following stories are living proof that this is true. We talked to people of all kinds from all over the world who are managing diabetes while living life to the fullest. From fighting fires to finishing triathlons, these individuals show that anything is possible while managing type 1 diabetes.
Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes: 8 Things I Would Tell Myself
Real Life with Diabetes: Discovering T1D During Pregnancy
This NYC Firefighter Thrives with Diabetes
Celebrating 75 Years Strong With Diabetes
An Educator Owns Her Type 1 Diabetes
Reporter, Jamie Lowe, on Life After His Diabetes Diagnosis
On Juggling College, Diabetes, and Losing Your InPen
Ginger Vieira is Powerlifting Her Way Through Diabetes
Conquering Diabetes One Triathlon at a Time
Iván's Story: Growing Up with Diabetes
True Life: I Have a Diabetic Alert Dog (Part 1)
True Life: I Have a Diabetic Alert Dog (Part 2)
Type 2 Diabetes Success Stories
Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can be an eye-opening and emotional experience. It can be the wakeup call that tells you important lifestyle changes need to be made. These are stories of people who’ve answered that call by making incredible strides toward better health. But that’s not to say they’re perfect. Health isn’t linear. It’s full of setbacks and triumphs. What’s most important is that you keep trying. Here are stories of people who do just that.
It's Like Texting With a Friend: How Chris Uses One Drop to Follow His Passion
Type 2 Diabetes is My Greatest Teacher
Taking Type 2 Diabetes One Day at a Time
Fighting the Good (Diabetes) Fight
Walking Her Way to Better Type 2 Diabetes Management
Manny's Secret to Persevering in the Face of Diabetes Setbacks
10 Years After Diagnosis, Tim is Thriving with Type 2 Diabetes
Elvis: Having One Drop in Your Corner
Going Full-Throttle to Beat Type 2 Diabetes
72 Years Young and Thriving with Type 2 Diabetes
Going Hard for the Bucs and Blood Sugar
Julie's Type 2 Diabetes Story: Focusing on Progress, Not Perfection
One Drop and the Right Support Changed Everything for Virelle
Battling Food and Weight: Telling My Story for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
One Drop Team Members with Diabetes
At One Drop, we understand diabetes because many of us live with it every day. We know the disappointment of going high without understanding why, the satisfaction of staying in range, and the power of connecting with others on the journey. Here, we share some of our own diabetes success stories. After all, we’re all in this together.
Meet the One Drop Team: Mary Elizabeth
Meet the One Drop Team: Rachel
This post has been clinically reviewed by Hanna Rifkin, RD, CDCES, clinical health coach at One Drop.
