Being Your Strongest Advocate

One of the most important things I’ve learned since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is that no one can advocate for you quite like you can.

You are the one who lives with this disease every day. You are the one who knows how it feels when something is off, even if the numbers look fine. You are the one who has to ask the hard questions, push for answers, and sometimes explain things over and over again—just to be heard.

Advocacy isn’t just about public speaking or raising awareness. It starts with knowing yourself, trusting your instincts, and standing up for your needs—even when it’s uncomfortable.

There will be times you’re in a doctor’s office, a classroom, a workplace, or a social situation where something doesn’t feel right. Maybe your concerns are being brushed off. Maybe someone is making assumptions. Maybe you need accommodations—but you’re hesitant to ask.

Speak up anyway.

And here’s something important: advocating for yourself doesn’t mean being loud, confrontational, or dramatic. It doesn’t mean yelling or creating tension. Advocacy can be calm, measured, and firm. Sometimes the strongest voice in the room is the one that speaks with quiet confidence.

No one knows your body better than you. If something feels wrong, it probably is. If you need something to feel safe or supported, say it. Being your own advocate means giving yourself permission to be direct, clear, and unapologetic about your needs.

Knowledge is power—and when it comes to managing T1D, it’s also protection. Learn how your insulin works. Learn how food, stress, exercise, and hormones affect your body. Learn what to ask at appointments. Learn how to read your data, interpret your patterns, and recognize when something needs adjusting. You don’t have to become a medical expert—but the more you understand, the more confident and equipped you’ll feel when speaking up for yourself.

Whether you're at a doctor’s appointment or dealing with an insurance company, documentation matters. Keep notes on what’s working and what isn’t. Write down your questions before visits. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification or request a second opinion if something doesn’t sit right with you. You are allowed to understand what’s being done to and for your body—and to expect respect while you’re doing it.

Being your own advocate doesn’t stop at the clinic. It shows up when you let a teacher know how to respond to a low. When you ask a server about ingredients in a meal. When you wear your insulin pump or CGM proudly—without feeling the need to hide it. When you tell a friend, “I need to treat a low, can we pause for a minute?” These moments might feel small—but they build confidence and set the tone for how others treat you, too.

You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Being a strong advocate doesn’t mean you’re never nervous, never uncertain, never discouraged. It means you keep learning. Keep showing up. Keep using your voice—even when it shakes.

And what’s more—it’s a skill that extends beyond type 1 diabetes. When you learn to stand up for your health, you also learn how to stand up for your values, your time, your energy, and your boundaries in life overall. Advocacy, at its core, is about believing in your worth—and that shows up everywhere.

Every time you speak up, you’re not just helping yourself—you’re paving the way for the next person who lives with this disease. You’re educating others, shifting perceptions, and creating a world where people with type 1 diabetes are better understood and better supported. You never know who’s watching you advocate and gaining the courage to do the same.

You are not too young, too new, or too “inexperienced” to be your own advocate. You don’t have to wait until you have all the answers. You just have to know that your experience matters—and that your voice deserves to be heard.

Whether you’re navigating a doctor’s visit, a school policy, a workplace challenge, or just your daily routine—advocating for yourself is a form of strength, dignity, and self-respect.

You live with type 1 diabetes every single day. You know what you need. So say it. Own it. Ask for it.

Because you are your strongest advocate—and you always have been.