This is part of our Diabetes Stories series, where people living with diabetes share their personal journeys, challenges, and insights.
Hello! Who are you? And tell us a little bit more about your diabetes.
Hey everyone! My name is Victor Rivera. I’m currently living in Texas, USA. I’ve been living with Type 1 diabetes for 36 years.
I run my own coffee shop and spend my free time flying as a hobby pilot. Diabetes hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love—it just means I have to stay on top of it.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 19 years old. Unlike some who are diagnosed in childhood, my journey with diabetes began in early adulthood. From the start, I chose to be open about it. I never tried to hide my diagnosis from friends, family, or anyone around me—I felt it was important to be honest about my health and advocate for myself when necessary.
One of the most difficult aspects of living with diabetes, especially for my family, has been the financial burden. In the United States, navigating insurance and affording essential diabetes care—like insulin, supplies, and doctor visits—can be incredibly stressful.
“Diabetes is constant. It never takes a break.”
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 primarily self-manage my diabetes, and while I don’t have a large support system, I do have a close friend who is a General Practitioner. Interestingly, I often find myself teaching him about the latest innovations in diabetes care—so the learning goes both ways. Beyond that, most of my diabetes journey has been quite independent.
To manage my condition, I currently use CGMs like the Dexcom G7 and Libre 3, along with Insulin Lispro pens for mealtime insulin, and either Lantus or Levemir for overnight basal coverage
Over the years, I’ve tried a wide range of treatments—from Regular and NPH insulin to Humalog, Lantus, Levemir, insulin pumps, glucagon, and even Baqsimi.
One of the biggest positives over time has been gaining a deeper understanding of how different systems, treatment programs, and lifestyle choices—especially food—affect my overall health.
I’d say I manage my diabetes pretty well, probably an 8 out of 10 on a scale where 10 is the best.
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?
Yes, I’ve learned to recognize both low and high blood sugar symptoms quite well over the years. When my blood sugar drops, I usually notice signs like sweating, cloudy thinking, and a general sense of something being off—especially when the drop is more extreme. It’s something I’ve become very aware of.
I use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which allows me to check my levels on demand, and I do so frequently throughout the day.
When I experience a low, I typically treat it with Motts gummy candies—specifically the small individual packs, which are convenient and fast-acting.
Thankfully, I’ve never fainted from a low blood sugar episode, which I consider a real win given how unpredictable diabetes can be.
Food and diet
How does your diabetes affect your eating and do you find being on a diet restrictive?
Diabetes definitely influences how I eat, but I try not to let it control every aspect of my relationship with food. For example, I typically skip breakfast and practice intermittent fasting—my first meal is usually around noon.
If I do get invited to breakfast, I stick to eggs, protein, and a Diet Coke. I avoid milk and orange juice because they make my blood sugar spike.
Carbs aren’t really a diabetic’s friend, so I try to keep those in check. I don’t snack regularly—only when I genuinely crave something. My snacks can range from healthy options like crackers and cheese to the occasional sugary treat.
When my carb intake is higher than usual, I adjust my insulin accordingly to keep things balanced.
As for diets, I do find them restrictive. Having the freedom to choose what I eat is important to me, and I believe that balance is key.
I do try to stay hydrated, though admittedly, I probably don’t drink as much water as I should—maybe around four cups a day.
When people ask if I’m “allowed” to eat certain foods, it can get frustrating. I think everyone—especially people with diabetes—should aim to eat healthy, but not live in a state of constant restriction.
Do you believe that a plant based diet can improve diabetes? Did you ever experiment with this?
I honestly don’t have enough information to say whether a plant-based diet can improve diabetes. It’s not something I’ve personally experimented with, so I can’t speak from experience.
Do you have a hard time eating out in a restaurant? And what are you thoughts on making this easier?
I don’t find eating out in restaurants particularly difficult. I’ve learned to navigate menus in a way that works for me and my diabetes management.
Living in a city, where unhealthy food is everywhere, makes it more difficult to maintain a balanced lifestyle. The abundance of fatty, high-carb options in local restaurants definitely doesn’t make things easier.
I actually really enjoy going out to eat—especially at Italian restaurants. I love Italian food, seafood, and generally lean toward healthier dishes when I can.
“Keep showing up for yourself every day.”
Exercise and work
Does your diabetes restrict you from exercise or your daily job?
Not at all. I actually exercise quite a lot—biking, running, and hiking about four times a week.
As for work, I own a coffee shop, and diabetes doesn’t interfere with my job at all. I’m able to manage everything without issue.
Flying is my hobby, and there’s a lot more to it than I initially expected. I didn’t realize how complicated getting my medical certificate would be. What takes most people just a few days ended up taking me 11 months. But if you manage your diabetes, it’s absolutely possible—and incredibly rewarding. With flying, I’ve been able to see the world from a completely different perspective. I’ve flown over New York City, Spain, Portugal, Cancun, São Paulo, and even Kyrgyzstan. One of my biggest goals is to fly around the world.
Final
Do you have any positive or negative effects because of your diabetes?
Living with diabetes certainly comes with its challenges. For me, the hardest part is the volatility—how unpredictable it can be, even when I think I’m doing everything right.
It’s also stressful for my family at times, especially when they worry about my health or see me dealing with the ups and downs.
I don’t follow any additional routines outside the basics to manage it, which can sometimes add to the pressure.
As for the positives—it’s hard to say if there’s truly a “best part,” but I suppose one small upside is being able to enjoy sweets without too much guilt, since I already have to manage everything closely anyway.
What is the best advice that you can give to non-diabetics, new diagnosed diabetics and diabetics?
For those who are newly diagnosed, my biggest piece of advice is to really take the time to learn your body and how it responds to different foods, activities, and insulin. Understanding the tools available to you—like continuous glucose monitors, insulin types, and lifestyle strategies—can make a big difference in your confidence and overall management. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek out communities, and take control of your condition from the start. The more you know, the more empowered you’ll feel.
For fellow diabetics, keep showing up for yourself every day. You’re doing more than people realize, and that consistency matters.
To non-diabetics, I would say this: diabetes is constant. It never takes a break.
What would you ask the other diabetics?
How do you relax?
Share your thoughts in the comments—I can’t wait to hear from you!
Ready to share your story with the world?
At Diabetic Me, we dive into the real-life stories of people living with diabetes, uncovering the challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. Through these powerful stories, we aim to shed light on what it truly means to live with diabetes, offering understanding, inspiration, and support.
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hey victor, its so cool you own a coffee shop and still follow ur dreams with diabetes. i always wanna start something on my own but idk, gets me thinkin maybe its possible. keep it up man.
Love this energy! It’s stories like these that make me hopeful. We all gotta start somewhere.
but ain’t it hard with diabetes? like how do u manage all that stuff
Managing diabetes is a challenge for sure, but it’s all about balance and support. Right, Victor?