When you live with Type 1 Diabetes, every single day is a science experiment. You balance carbs, insulin, activity levels, stress, and sleep — all while trying to just be a kid, go to school, and hang out with friends. I created Aviva Cares to demystify T1D, educate classmates and teachers, and raise funds for a cure through Breakthrough T1D. T1D isn’t caused by eating too much sugar, and it doesn’t mean stopping sports or active hobbies; it just means living life with extra data and a lot of resilience. Welcome to our community!

If you hear a high-pitched tune or a repeated buzz from my desk or backpack, don’t worry — I’m not playing a game on my phone! That sound comes from my Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). It measures my blood sugar continuously and alerts me if my levels are going too high or dropping low.

• High Alarms: Means my body needs extra water or an insulin adjustment.
• Low Alarms: Means I need quick-acting sugar immediately (like juice boxes or fruit gummies).
• How classmates can help: You don’t need to panic! Just let the teacher know if I look tired or shaky, and give me a minute to treat my low.

One of the most common things people ask is: “Did you get diabetes from eating too many sweets?” The short answer is: No.

1. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system accidentally attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Nothing I ate or did caused it, and it cannot be cured by diet or exercise.
2. Type 2 Diabetes: A metabolic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough.

Understanding the difference helps eliminate stigma and ensures kids with T1D get the exact medical support and understanding they need at school and sports.