Welcome to the fourth 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 Tara Koval, creator of 28 Units . I first came across Tara from Instagram. I saw her clothing line being worn by several other people on Instagram and I loved her clothing. Please enjoy.
1 – Who are you? (Name, where do you live, what do you do for a living, favorite hobby, sports teams, etc.)
My name is Tara Koval, and I live in Sacramento, CA. I’m a salon owner and hair stylist, I’m also the creator of the Type 1 shirt line; 28 Units. Free time does not happen very often as I’m pretty busy between work, 28 units and school. However, when I do have free time it’s usually spent wine tasting, having dinner with friends and mini road trips with my husband.
2 – What is your connection to diabetes?
I have been a Type One Diabetic for 11 years and was diagnosed at the age of 23. My grandmother was also diabetic and she could not control her bg levels well at all. I grew up watching her struggle with her blood sugar levels, go blind and eventually go through dialysis. I think seeing the complications first hand of what this disease can do from a young age was helpful for me. Little did I know I would end up being Type One as well.
This experience made me understand that I needed to take my insulin properly and stay on top of things. I am also extremely grateful that there is technology like CGM’s, pumps, and pods that help the Type One community check and maintain our blood sugars. It is truly a life saver!
3 – Give us the elevator pitch version of your diabetes diagnosis.
I was 23 years old, living in Los Angeles just starting my career in the fashion-styling world. I remember throwing up a lot and just feeling lethargic most days. I eventually began getting major headaches, insatiable thirst and I could barely see straight. I lost like 40 pounds in a few weeks and eventually I couldn’t function. I decided it was time to get to a doctor.
I had no health insurance at the time so I was extremely hesitant but I knew something was very wrong. I ended up at a dodgy walk in clinic where the doctor told me that my symptoms sounded like a brain tumor and he told me that I should go to the hospital immediately.
The next thing I remember is waking up on a gurney and a doctor telling me he knew why I was getting such bad headaches; my blood sugar was over 600. I had a week-long hospital stay, I don’t remember much of it other than a nurse showing me how to give myself injections into my leg.
I left the hospital knowing my life would be different forever and I had a difficult time trying to go back into my normal life routine. I wouldn’t go out to eat or with friends for several months. I would describe it as a mourning period, I was mourning the loss of my freedom and learning how to live with this new partner, diabetes. I definitely did a lot of research post diagnosis and luckily had a T1D friend who was super helpful in the beginning. Things eventually became second nature and I became comfortable in my new way of life.
4 – What made you decide to start sharing your diabetes? (For example, why did you start an IG account, blog, Facebook group, etc.)
I was never very vocal about my diabetes and was definitely selective of who I’d share it with. I felt like I’m fine, there’s no reason this person needs to know. I didn’t want anyone to comment about it or view me as sick. I started following other T1D’s on Instagram a few years ago, I was blown away at what an amazing group of people there were out there, fearlessly sharing their disease. Helping other people like me learn about new technology, tips and tricks and just showing compassion.
I had thought of an idea for a shirt that was diabetes related. I decided to design it and make one for myself. My friends thought it was cool and I had a few other ideas brewing.
I thought I’d put my ideas into motion and start the line. I called it 28 Units because that’s the amount of Lantus that I take. The shirts have definitely made it easier for me to talk about type one with others and given me a new sense of confidence. I want to show people that this disease doesn’t have to be something that holds you back. I found a way to connect my love of fashion with my disease. The shirts are a creative outlet for me to express myself and bring awareness to T1D. The designs are a conversation starter. People often ask me what ‘bolus’ means or what’s the significance of the juice box, it’s a great way for me to connect and tell people about T1D. I also like to think that my shirts bring a cool and stylish element to the world of diabetes apparel.
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.)
My passion is connecting with people, with and without T1D, and bringing awareness through my shirt designs. I love seeing people rock their 28 Units shirts with confidence and hear their stories. It’s honestly the most fulfilling thing. I try to share every picture that I’m tagged in and feature the person, sharing their beauty and strength. I feel that by sharing their photos and stories it shows how diverse, relatable and amazing T1D’s are. I want everyone to feel included and let them know they’re awesome and this is the reason I make these shirts. There is so much greatness in this community, and it warms my heart.
6 – What’s in your diabetes bag? (Pump, MDI, meter, syringes, adhesives, CGMs, etc.)
Oh geez, so much stuff! I have only ever done MDI, so I have plenty of syringes, insulin vials, glucometer, test strips, sweet tarts roll, and alcohol wipes. I have the Dexcom G5 so I still have to calibrate it twice a day, so used test strips are still at the bottom of the bag lol.
7 – Where do currently get your diabetes news? (Favorite blogs, IG, FB, Twitter accounts, etc.)
Most of my diabetes related news comes from social media. I follow JDRF, Beyond Type One and ADA, all great resources. But honestly, I get the best news from fellow T1D’s on Instagram and Facebook.
8 – Share three blogs or IG accounts that everyone reading this should be following.
Only 3?! These are the 3 Instagram accounts that I’m going with because of all of the useful information they post. There are so many other great accounts and I’d urge everyone with T1D to get involved with the online community.
@ali.abdlkareem
@t1dchick
@type1livabetic
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.
My struggle is my weight as well. Very similar to you, I will do really well eating healthy, working out and then I fall back. Even when I do all of the right things, I never seem to lose the amount I’d like. I have always struggled with my weight even before my diagnosis. My goal for 2019 is to try to get into the healthiest shape that I’ve ever been in and cut my insulin intake.
10 -What is the #1 myth about diabetes that just gets under your skin every time you hear it?
When I read or hear jokes about diabetes. It blows my mind. Like, why is it socially acceptable in television and movies to crack jokes about a disease that people have!?! I understand that maybe these jokes are geared towards people with type 2 but that is still unacceptable. The general public think that diabetes is a self-inflicted disease which is why we need to keep spreading awareness about type one.
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 don’t know if I really have a hack. I do use vials of insulin because I know that the vial will last me much longer than the pen. I used pens for awhile and still have pens for certain occasions but I feel like so much insulin gets wasted. So, I guess my hack is keeping it old school with syringes and vials.
12 – What is one thing you would like someone without diabetes to know about living with diabetes?
People with diabetes are living full and healthy lives. They are able to run marathons, have children, become doctors, eat donuts and do what everyone else can do. We just have extra work to do by acting as a pancreas, which only makes us stronger.
13 – What is your favorite “healthy” food option?
Avocado with tajin and lime juice
Now we’re going to do a little this or that.
Cats or dogs? Cats
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Fruits or Veggies? Veggies
Sweet or Salty? Salty
TV Series or Movies? Movies
Mac or Windows? Mac
Ice cream cake or regular cake? Regular cake
Pancake or Waffle? Pancake
Book or eBook? Book
Pineapple on pizza is great or pineapple on pizza is a crime: Pineapple on pizza is totally fine. If you grew up in the 90s, I guarantee you ate Hawaiian pizza. A little sweet/savory action is good!
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.
Follow @28units on Instagram and you can check out all of the apparel at www.shop28units.com
Like what you read? Then sign up for The Life of a Diabetic newsletter to get all the week’s posts delivered directly to your email every Saturday morning.
Assume Sauce !!!!!!