by Janine Schlimgen
Hello ACB community! I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Janine, and I’m a member of ACBDA, affectionately known as Diabetics in Action. Think of us as the Avengers, but with glucose tablets. Our affiliate is made up of people who are pre-diabetic, newly diagnosed, long-time diabetics, and even folks who simply want to live healthier lives. Wherever you are on the journey, we’ve got information, encouragement, and real-life tips that don’t require a secret decoder ring. If you’ve ever Googled “is this snack worth it,” you’re one of us!
Living with diabetes has been a lifelong adventure. I was diagnosed at age three what used to be called “juvenile diabetes,” now known as Type 1. At that age, I knew about as much as any toddler does. I was mostly concerned with snacks and cartoons. My parents had to learn quickly how to manage blood sugars, give injections, and keep me safe. Growing up I heard stories of them practicing with syringes on an orange. Imagine being that orange. It never asked for that.
Fast forward to maturity. I took over my own care. Medical technology has come a long way since those early days, and I’ve learned to develop what I call my diabetic superpower — carb vision. From injections to using a pump, I’ve had to become deeply aware of what I eat and how it affects me. I can usually tell you the carb count of a food item and how much insulin it will take to cover it. It’s like having a built-in nutrition label scanner minus the barcode. That’s a big part of managing blood sugars. For reference, the average person’s blood sugar runs under 100. A diabetic aims for 80 - 180. Sounds simple, right? Let me be honest: it’s not. It took years of patience, trial, error, and the occasional “what do you MEAN that tiny cookie was 45 carbs?” I’m finally there.
My superpower didn’t develop overnight. For example, an apple is about 32 carbs, which means I need roughly 3 units of insulin. I use what I lovingly call a “dumb pump,” so I count clicks to deliver the right amount of insulin. The analog version of diabetes tech. It may sound complicated, but it becomes second nature, like counting sheep, only with more math and fewer naps.
Technology has also changed the game. Every diabetic needs an A1C test every three months. It measures your average blood sugar over that period. Thanks to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) — those quarter-sized discs you may have seen on someone’s arm — my A1C has been holding steady at 6.3. Most doctors want you below 7.0, so I’m proud of that. Technology helped me rise to the challenge.
Here’s a universal truth: every diabetic becomes a world-class snack strategist. With time, we all learn what works for our bodies, because everyone is different.
Managing diabetes is a job, yes, but it’s one worth doing. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone who is pre-diabetic or newly diagnosed, it would be this: take your health seriously and take control early. Ask yourself: who is in charge – you or diabetes? Knowledge truly is power.