Episode 38: Journey of Solitude

Join us on a journey with Braylnn. Bray is a Philly based T1D, singer/ musician that enjoys performing and being active in nature. She wants everyone to know that it is important to embrace all of you. Even if you have a supportive system, it can only go to an extent because you are the only one dealing with it and making every hour decisions to keep you alive. Brays talks about medical teams need to understand the different variables that exist with people living with diabetes beyond insulin and exercise. These things include things such as access to healthy foods, safe spaces to work out and even walk. Braylynn has 7 siblings. Her oldest sister was diagnosed with T1D around 23 when Bray was 17. Bray, not knowing diabetes at the time did as questions such as, "Did she eat too many chips?" Bray's 9 yr old niece was recently diagnosed over the past few weeks with a bg of over 1400. Bray was diagnosed while in college Braylynn offers the question, why does the media not show the truths of everyone with diabetes? Growing up she never heard of type one and only saw some type 2 in the media. Diabetes she has accepted. It took a long time and a lot of work for her to get here. There are some days when it becomes overwhelming, but she accepts it. With trust in yourself it does make it a bit easier. Bray was diagnosed at 21 while in college. She remembers where she was ahead of diagnosis. It's very vivid. One of her first symptoms was her hands being tingly. A few weeks later she was experiencing the most extreme thirst, urinating nonstop and being fatigue but since she was in college she just kept living her life. She remembers talking to her dad one day telling him her symptoms, and her dad told her, "That sounds like diabetes." She said, No! that's an old people thing, I'm young! She went to the doctor and asked if they could screen her. The nurse pulled her into, and office and the doctor told her she had type 2 diabetes. She left that visit with a bunch of new prescriptions. Walking out of that office was extremely hard for her. She walked out of that office without her doctor asking any questions. Just by her skin she was diagnosed type 2. She didn't get the proper diagnosis for 2 years. Her blood sugars were extremely high. Now that she's older she's thankful for her youth. She believes that saved her. After two years an endocrinologist told her that she had the autoantibodies and was told that she was T1D. "We shouldn't have to debate and argue with healthcare professionals that should understand what we are going through." At the end of the day there are things beyond everyone's control. Although diabetes can be crushing at times and you can feel bitter and sad, it made Braylynn who she is today. Bray wants everyone to know, "The change of narrative that we need to have starts with the change in self. Change comes first with us having the dialogue." Follow Braylynn on instagram Recently her main account was hacked, please report it main account