“Hey y’all! My name is Brynlee Green and on January 28, 2018, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Man, if diabetes had a face, there’s a few things I would like to say to or ask it. Things like, “why me?” or “why did I deserve this?” That was my main thought process when I was newly diagnosed. I was in the middle of eighth grade when it happened. The frequent urination, constant thirst, endless tiredness, and great amounts of weight loss were noticeable, but yet I acted as if nothing was wrong. I didn’t know anything about diabetes during the time. One night, my mother decided to have me do a finger prick. My blood sugar was 496, and 30 minutes later at the hospital, it had gone up to 640. I wear this necklace to show that no matter what obstacles you encounter, what illnesses you endure, that you can overcome it, being stronger than you were before it. To me, being aware means that I know i’m diabetic and I’ve excepted it. That I can go about my day, knowing I’m strong because I fight for tomorrow. Even with the fancy equipment sticking to my skin for everyone to see, I know i’m beautiful and I love to show off my difference. Diabetes is such a misunderstood illness, and I want to help people become more aware of it.” @typeonebryn