November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and November 14 is World Diabetes Day. For my family, these aren't just dates on the calendar.
There are certain causes that mean a little more to us because of the people we love. Diabetes awareness is one of those for me.
My husband, Aaron, has been living with Type 2 diabetes for about 17 years. And through my daughter's boyfriend, J, I've also gotten a firsthand look at what living with Type 1 diabetes can mean.
While Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different conditions, both have taught me that there's so much more to diabetes than most people realize.
I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about homes, neighborhoods, and the communities we love here in the Kansas City area. But every now and then, I think it's important to talk about the things that matter beyond real estate.
And this one matters to me.
Two Types of Diabetes, Two Very Different Experiences
One thing I've learned is that diabetes isn't a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.
A lot of people hear the word diabetes and assume everyone living with it faces the same challenges. That's simply not true.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar.
People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive. It isn't caused by eating too much sugar, being overweight, or making poor lifestyle choices. It can develop in children, teenagers, or adults.
Type 2 diabetes is different. With Type 2, the body doesn't respond to insulin as effectively as it should, and over time, it may not produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar within a healthy range.
Genetics, family history, age, and other factors can all play a role. Lifestyle can influence the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but it's important to remember that a diagnosis isn't a reflection of someone's character or worth.
Both types require attention, management, and support. And neither deserves judgment.
Living With Type 2 Diabetes: Our Family's Experience
Aaron has been living with Type 2 diabetes for about 17 years now. If I remember correctly, it was actually routine bloodwork that first raised concerns, and his doctor had him do a three-hour glucose tolerance test.
Over the years, diabetes has simply become part of our everyday life.
Aaron has to think about what he's eating, what his blood sugar is doing, and how much insulin he needs. Even something as simple as going out to dinner requires a little extra planning. He has to remember to bring his insulin, and there have been times he's forgotten it and we've had to make a beeline back home!
And when our kids were little, long before they could even tie their shoes, we taught them about low blood sugar symptoms and where we kept the honey in case Dad's blood sugar dropped too low.
Think about that for a minute. Something most families probably wouldn't give a second thought to was something our children learned at a very young age.
That's what living with diabetes can look like. It isn't always some big, life-changing event. Sometimes it's the little things you do every single day that eventually become so normal you hardly think about them anymore.
But just because they're normal to us doesn't mean they're easy or insignificant.
For years, I don't think Aaron took his diabetes quite as seriously as he should have. His attitude was pretty much, "Donuts? No problem. I'll just take more insulin!"
But something has changed.
He's taking his health much more seriously these days. He's lost a considerable amount of weight, and his insulin needs have dropped to almost nothing. In fact, his endocrinologist is hopeful that he could have his Type 2 diabetes in remission by early 2027!
I'm incredibly proud of the progress he's made.
And this is where understanding the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes becomes especially important.
Some people with Type 2 diabetes can achieve remission, meaning their blood sugar returns to a range below the diabetes threshold without diabetes medication for a sustained period. Not everyone can achieve that, and it doesn't mean the condition is permanently cured.
Type 1 diabetes is different. There is currently no cure, and people living with Type 1 need insulin to survive.
Type 1 Diabetes: A Whole Different Ballgame
Through D's boyfriend, J, we've gotten a firsthand look at just how unpredictable Type 1 diabetes can be.
We've seen J's blood sugar drop into the 40s, and even so low that his continuous glucose monitor (CGM) simply reads "LOW" with arrows pointing down.
Let me tell you, that's scary. Especially in the middle of the night.
When that happens, the first priority is getting his blood sugar back up safely. That means juice or another fast-acting carbohydrate right away, provided he's awake and able to swallow safely, followed by close monitoring.
Then comes the tricky part: trying to keep his blood sugar from swinging too far in the opposite direction. Once his blood sugar has recovered and reaches a certain range, we'll sometimes add a protein-rich snack to help keep things steady.
And even then, I swear his blood sugar can change based on which direction the wind is blowing!
D has even learned to recognize when J's blood sugar might be out of range just by the way he's acting.
When it's high, he can get cranky, irritable, and a little "spicy," as she calls it. When it's low, well, let's just say he can get a little dirt-duh-dur. 😂
Of course, those changes aren't a substitute for checking his glucose, but they've helped her recognize when something might be off.
Even ordinary activities require extra thought. If he's going to be more active than usual, he may need to adjust his insulin pump's activity settings according to his diabetes care plan.
And around our house? We keep juice, fruit snacks, glucose tablets, and protein-rich snacks available because you never know when he might need something.
One thing I've learned is that managing Type 1 diabetes isn't simply a matter of taking insulin and going about your day. There are so many variables, and even when someone does everything right, blood sugar can still be unpredictable.
That's something I wish more people understood.
And while Aaron has the possibility of putting his Type 2 diabetes into remission, J doesn't have that option with Type 1. There is currently no cure.
That's why awareness, research, and understanding are so important.
Knowing the Warning Signs Could Make a Difference
Another important part of diabetes awareness is recognizing the symptoms.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can cause symptoms such as:
Feeling unusually thirsty
Needing to urinate more frequently
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling unusually tired
Blurry vision
Increased hunger
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly, sometimes over just days or weeks. Type 2 may develop gradually, and some people have few or no noticeable symptoms.
A serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can sometimes be the first sign of Type 1 diabetes. Symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, fruity-smelling breath, or confusion require immediate emergency medical attention.
Severely low blood sugar can also become an emergency. If someone is unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow safely, never give them food or drinks by mouth. Administer emergency glucagon if available and call 911.
If you or someone you love is experiencing possible diabetes symptoms, don't ignore them. Talk with a healthcare professional about appropriate testing.
Awareness really can make a difference.
How Can We Support Someone Living With Diabetes?
You don't have to understand every medical detail to be supportive.
Sometimes it's as simple as asking questions instead of making assumptions.
It's understanding that someone with Type 1 diabetes may need to check their blood sugar or treat a low, even when the timing isn't convenient.
It's recognizing that someone with Type 2 diabetes may be working hard to manage their condition, even if you can't see that effort.
And it's remembering that unsolicited advice about what someone should or shouldn't eat isn't always helpful.
Most importantly, it's treating people like people, not diagnoses.
November 14 Is World Diabetes Day
Every November, Diabetes Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to learn more, share information, and support the millions of people living with diabetes.
November 14 is also World Diabetes Day, observed on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who helped discover insulin.
The blue circle is the international symbol of diabetes awareness and unity.
If you'd like to learn more, these are two excellent places to start:
American Diabetes Association — Education, advocacy, research, and resources for people living with diabetes.
Breakthrough T1D — Research, resources, and advocacy focused on Type 1 diabetes.
Whether diabetes affects your own family, a friend, a coworker, or someone you've never met, taking a little time to understand it is worthwhile.
A Little More Understanding, A Lot More Compassion
I know this isn't my typical real estate blog post.
But the communities we call home are about so much more than houses, streets, and property values. They're about the people who live here.
They're our families, friends, neighbors, and the people we see at church, school, ball games, and the grocery store.
And sometimes those people are carrying challenges we know very little about.
This November, I hope you'll take a few minutes to learn something about diabetes, share what you've learned, or simply check in on someone you know who's living with it.
For Aaron, for J, and for the countless other families affected by diabetes, I'm thankful for the progress that's been made. And I'm hopeful for what the future holds.
Because behind every diagnosis is someone who matters.
And that's worth talking about.
— Jennifer Case
Jen Case Homes | Serving the Kansas City area with heart, integrity, and a love for our communities.
