My name is Avery Pizzuto. I am twenty-four years old, and I have had type one diabetes for almost 14 years now. Growing up, I was always a relatively healthy kid. The summer of 2010, I was ten years old. My health began to decline. I had no energy, I was losing weight rapidly, constantly thirsty, and peeing the bed. Confused and scared, my mother took me to our primary care doctor. I was told I had mono and would eventually get better. After a month going by, I wasn’t improving but rather diminishing quickly. We went to other doctors for other opinions and I was told I had some kind of virus. I was told I would get better by each doctor. Several months had gone by, and in November I was on my death bed. I could no longer attend school, and I was lethargic. I was having severe stomach pain. I remember thinking I might be better off dead rather than suffering. My mother knew something was really wrong. I was unable to walk, so she scooped me up and took me to an urgent care. The minute we arrived, the doctor knew what was wrong. One blood sugar test later and I was told my blood sugar was 853 (Normal range being 80-120). Next thing I knew, I was being rushed to the children’s hospital. I was in DKA (Diabetic ketoacidosis). If we hadn’t gone to that doctor that day, I might of not survived. I stayed in the children’s hospital for a week. While nourishing my body back to health, I was learning a crash course of my new life, and how to take care of myself.
The day I was told I was being discharged, I cried and refused to leave. Why would I want to leave the hospital if I was being taken care of? I felt safe and was terrified of my new life. My best friend so happened to visit me this day. She came by with a teddy bear and told me I was missed at school. She delivered to me handwritten letters from each of my classmates. My classmates and best friend gave me the strength and courage to leave that day.
When I tell people I have type one diabetes, the typical reply is, “I could never take shots or poke myself!” and I always reply, “If it was the only way you could survive, yes you would!” At this time in my life, I am so motivated and empowered by having type one diabetes. I am a big believer in any challenge or obstacle that you face in your life, there is always something to learn or grow from. Type one diabetes has made me who I am today, and I am uplifted by it. My medical devices are a part of who I am, and they make me feel beautiful!
I haven’t always felt this way about it. There were times in my life I was embarrassed by it. I would think to myself, “Why me? Why do I have to deal with this auto-immune disease my entire existence?” I hit a point in my life when I was 16, where my A1C (glycated hemoglobin, it tells you your average glucose levels) was 10.5%, which is dangerously high. I hated myself, my health, and where I was heading. I was told by my doctor I was not allowed to get my driver’s license because I was so out of control. My options were to go back into the hospital to relearn how to take care of myself again or get a Dexcom (Continuous glucose monitor). I chose to get the Dexcom, and one month later my A1C had dropped to 7.0. I found a new hope and fight in my life.
I am a big advocate for T1D, affordable healthcare, and basic human rights. I mentor/volunteer for Breakthrough T1D (Formally JDRF), and have rallied for affordable health care in Utah through round table discussions with the Governor, and speaking with our Senators. I hope for a cure one day, but until then I will always be a voice for type one diabetes. I currently have the Dexcom G6, paired with the Omnipod. I live in California and work in the film industry as an actor. This is the healthiest I have ever been/felt in my life. I am so grateful for my amazing support system of family and friends. I met Level Life at Friends for Life in Disneyworld, an event hosted by Children with Diabetes. I was having a hard low blood sugar day and came across their booth. Sometimes with lows, it can be hard not to overeat causing your blood sugar to spike. I asked to try one of their pouches and only 20 minutes later, I was exactly 100. I knew this was a product that would help manage my diabetes even better. I am so grateful to have met the Level Life team, as their product truly benefits my life.
Cheers to healthy living and to a cure one day.
– Avery Pizzuto