Welcome to the fifth installment of a new weekly series here on The Life of a Diabetic called Getting to Know Diabetes: The Interview Series. Every Tuesday, I will be featuring an interview with a diabetes advocate and/or “influencer” in the diabetes community. These interviews will ask the same questions to every person.
Today’s interview is with Sam Bahr. I first came across Sam from Instagram because I am interested in running more and her Instagram motivates me. Please enjoy.
1 – Who are you? (Name, where do you live, what do you do for a living, favorite hobby, sports teams, etc.)
I’m Sam. I live in Fargo, North Dakota where I work as a production scientist for a biotech company. I am avid runner, and I will start my training for my first full marathon in December. I love hockey! Much like my dad, I am a huge Chicago Blackhawks fan. I also am a former college swimmer and watch it anytime it’s on TV.
2 – What is your connection to diabetes?
I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since 2016.
3 – Give us the elevator pitch version of your diabetes diagnosis.
In May of 2016, I noticed that I had extreme thirst, frequent urination, and I lost about 10 pounds. I honestly didn’t think much of my symptoms until I lost weight without trying, and didn’t even want to tell my doctor. I went in for my yearly physical, and a few hours later, I was delivered the news. I am very lucky that I didn’t require a hospital stay or go into DKA.
4 – What made you decide to start sharing your diabetes? (For example, why did you start an IG account, blog, Facebook group, etc.)
I started my Instagram account and began posting on my blog more frequently because I was tired of feeling alone. My friends and family are an awesome support system, but I wanted to join a community who knew what I was going through and how difficult diabetes can make things sometimes. Since joining, I no longer feel alone, and it’s helped me deal with everything this disease throws at me.
5 – Obviously there are a lot of facets of diabetes, but what is your number one passion to share about diabetes? (For example, sharing signs and symptoms, mental health, eating disorders, governmental issues, etc.)
I have two things I make sure to share with people about diabetes. 1) It is not caused by sugar/I can still eat sugar. I’m not a low carb person. I like pasta and donuts and sweets, all in moderation of course. While it’s obviously a little bit tricker, I can still eat these things and have good blood sugar numbers. Just because I’m diabetic DOES NOT mean I’m allergic to sugar. 2) Diabetics can do most, if not all things non-diabetics can. I thought my life was over at my diagnosis, but it wasn’t. I’m still working in my field of study, I still go out with my friends, and now I even run half marathons. Diabetes hasn’t limited my life. If anything, it’s made me realize all the things I’m capable of.
6 – What’s in your diabetes bag? (Pump, MDI, meter, syringes, adhesives, CGMs, etc.)
In my diabetes bag I have: spare batteries, alcohol swabs, Pump Peelz, and syringes. Things I always have on me and might not be in my bag: pump, meter, CGM receiver, low snacks. I have so much diabetes related stuff in different places so that I never have to worry about not having something on me.
7 – Where do currently get your diabetes news? (Favorite blogs, IG, FB, Twitter accounts, etc.)
I mostly get my diabetes news off of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
8 – Share three blogs or IG accounts that everyone reading this should be following.
Doubletheinsulin
Insulin_and_tonic
thediabeticcactus
9 – Let’s get real for a minute. What do you struggle with the most when it comes to diabetes? For me, it’s my weight. I can’t ever seem to lose weight. I lose it, then it comes back and being over weight creates stress and anxiety of not being around for my child in the future.
I think what I struggle the most with is that as of right now, I’m never going to get ‘better.’ Sometimes I feel like I won’t be like this forever, or it’s hard to picture myself as a 70 year old diabetic. I know it’s the reality, but some days I wake up with good numbers and wonder if I was magically cured.
10 -What is the #1 myth about diabetes that just gets under your skin every time you hear it?
That you can reverse Type 1 Diabetes. I was once at the gym, and a woman asked me about my pump. When she found out I was a Type 1 Diabetic, she said: “ Well, a few more months on the treadmill and you won’t need your pump anymore.” I get angry every time I think about it.
11 – What is your top diabetes hack? For example, before inserting a new CGM you do XYZ or you use syringes instead of pens because of XYZ.
I have no hacks, haha! I have only been diabetic for about two years, and I still feel like I’m constantly learning new things about how to deal with this.
12 – What is one thing you would like someone without diabetes to know about living with diabetes?
SO. MANY. THINGS. Effect your blood sugar levels. Even if I cut out carbs, I would STILL require insulin.
13 – What is your favorite “healthy” food option?
Cauliflower. Honestly, you can make cauliflower into so many different things, and it doesn’t even really taste like it. I’ve made this cauliflower green chili casserole for the past three weeks for lunch! It’s so good and it doesn’t even taste like I’m eating veggies!
Now we’re going to do a little this or that.
Cats or dogs? Dogs.
Coffee or Tea? Coffee.
Fruits or Veggies? Veggies.
Sweet or Salty? Sweet.
TV Series or Movies? TV Series.
Mac or Windows? Windows.
Ice cream cake or regular cake? Regular cake.
Pancake or Waffle? Pancakes.
Book or eBook? Book
Pineapple on pizza is great or pineapple on pizza is a crime? Pineapple on pizza is the only way to eat pizza.
Take this time to add anything else. Add more to your story, include all links to all of your social media profiles and blogs, VLOGs, websites, etc.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/willrunforinsulin
Twitter: willrun4insulin
Instagram: willrun4insulin
Blog: justaddinsulin.wordpress.com
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
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Wonderful interview, thanks for highlighting Sam.