Emily Borbon, 25 years

Hello! Who are you? And tell us a little bit more about your diabetes.

I’m both a caseworker and a music teacher, and I also have a deep love for art.

I wasn’t diagnosed with diabetes as a child—I developed it later in life.

Thankfully, I’ve received a lot of support from my family and friends, which has made the transition to living with type 1 diabetes much more manageable.

“I’m just grateful to finally have a diagnosis.”

Emily Borbon, Texas, USA

Your treatment

How do you treat your diabetes, did a lot change over the past years and are you able to manage it well?

I manage my diabetes with the help of my husband and my parents—they’ve been a huge support system. I currently use a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and insulin pens for treatment.

Honestly, I’m just grateful to finally have a diagnosis. I had been feeling unwell for a long time, so having answers and beginning the healing process has been a relief.

So far, things are going well, and I’m managing it as best I can.

Can you recognize the symptoms of a low/high blood sugar? Do you test often and can you tell a bit more about your experiences with low blood sugar?

I can sometimes recognize the symptoms of low or high blood sugar. When my blood sugar is low, I often feel clammy and notice a numb sensation in my mouth. When it’s high, I tend to feel anxious and restless.

I use a CGM to help monitor my levels, but I still test manually at least once a day just to stay on top of things.

When I experience a low, I usually treat it with fruit chews or juice, followed by half a protein bar to help stabilize my blood sugar.

Fortunately, I’ve never fainted from a low.

Food and diet

How does your diabetes affect your eating and do you find being on a diet restrictive?

I generally follow a high-protein, low-carb diet with plenty of vegetables. I stick to a routine—breakfast around 6:30am, lunch at noon, and dinner around 6:00pm. For snacks, I go for things like cheese, meat, popcorn, or other low- or zero-carb options.

I use an insulin-to-carb ratio to manage my blood sugar, but I try to avoid meals that are too heavy or high in carbs. Even with extra insulin, those meals can still cause major spikes.

I also make sure to stay hydrated—typically drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day, and more if I work out.

I don’t find the diet restrictive at all. I grew up with food allergies, so I’m already used to being mindful of what I eat.

What does bother me is when people tell me what I should or shouldn’t eat. It feels like they don’t trust that I know how to manage my own body and make the right choices.

Do you believe that a plant based diet can improve diabetes? Did you ever experiment with this?

I haven’t personally tried a plant-based diet, but I do believe that focusing on minimally processed, whole foods can make a big difference in managing diabetes. It’s all about finding what works best for your body.

Do you have a hard time eating out in a restaurant? And what are you thoughts on making this easier?

Yes, eating out can definitely be challenging at times. One of the hardest parts is not knowing the exact nutritional information or ingredients in the food, which makes it tougher to manage my blood sugar accurately.

I love Asian food, Mexican food, and barbecue—Pad Thai is one of my favorites!

“For those newly diagnosed—it does get easier.”

Emily Borbon, Texas, USA

Exercise and work

Does your diabetes restrict you from exercise or your daily job?

Yes, I stay active and enjoy running, yoga, and lifting. Staying consistent with exercise is important to me.

I’m a caseworker for a child welfare non-profit, and I also teach private music lessons. It can make things like stopping to take insulin or treat a low blood sugar a bit inconvenient, especially if I’m in the middle of a meeting or a court hearing.

Final

Do you have any positive or negative effects because of your diabetes?

I’m still figuring out the full impact diabetes has had on my life. One challenge is needing to plan ahead constantly and be prepared for every situation—whether it’s carrying supplies or anticipating blood sugar changes. The cost of diabetic supplies is another ongoing burden.

That said, I’m really grateful to have a strong support system around me, which makes managing everything a lot more manageable.

As for religion or where I live, I don’t feel that either has had any negative impact on my diabetes.

What is the best advice that you can give to non-diabetics, new diagnosed diabetics and diabetics?

I’m not sure if I have all the answers, but if I could share anything, it would be this:

For those newly diagnosed—it does get easier. Be patient with yourself and allow room for grace as you adjust.

For other diabetics—keep doing your best. Some days are harder than others, but your effort matters.

And for non-diabetics—try to be kind and understanding. You never really know what someone is managing behind the scenes.

What would you ask the other diabetics?

I’m not sure.

Share your thoughts in the comments. I cannot wait to hear from you!

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