World Diabetes Day is November 14th.
It has been an official United Nations holiday since 2006.
Why November 14? It is the birthday day of Sir Frederick Banting.
Sir Frederick Banting along with Charles Best co-discovered insulin in 1922.
Without this discovery my friend, Jessica Fox, would not be here.
About Type 1
If you are unfamiliar with type 1 diabetes here is a link for you. It will let you know symptoms, treatment options, and how to get support.
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/type-1
This is a little about Jessica’s experience

Wear Blue
Please wear blue on world diabetes (November 14th) to show your support and raise awareness for everyone affected by diabetes.
A blue circle has become the symbol for diabetes awareness.
This is why we are asked to wear blue on this day every year.


Insulin
While type 1 diabetes is a life long auto immune condition, this does not stop people with this condition from living and thriving.
They are bad asses and can do everything non diabetics do. In Jessica’s case, sometimes better.
Jessica was diagnosed at 10 years old.
While Jessica has to either be hooked to a pump that checks her sugars and gives her the appropriate amount of insulin constantly, or check her blood sugars regularly and give herself insulin shots, she is still able to look beautiful and fashionable.
Jessica has to change her insulin pump site every 3 days.
Below is a picture of all of the supplies it takes to do this.

She has to take all this stuff with her everywhere she goes, as this acts as her pancreas.
This doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a good sense of fashion and humor though.

Fashionista
You may or may not have noticed the pager looking thing on Jessica’s belt in the above pictures.
That is not a pager it is her insulin pump. It literally is her pancreas and is attached to her by a tube that goes under her skin and gives her insulin.
She is very much a shoe lover and a fashionista.
Jess has become a master of camouflaging her pump and wearing outfits where her pump cannot be seen or is hard to see.



Mother
Even though Jessica has to do a lot just to stay alive and healthy every single day, she is an amazing mother of 2 beautiful girls.
She has even managed to pass her love for fashion to them as well.

Both of her daughters are very active in volleyball and she is there for the majority of their games cheering them on!

Wonder Woman
Jessica is our own personal Wonder Woman.
She ran and completed the NYC Marathon twice!
She ran and represented Beyond Type One and Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.



Friend
As busy as she is keeping herself alive, being a mom, a wife, an athlete, she is also a great friend.
I am not sure how she finds time to even respond to a text message, much less make time to meet up, but she does.



Professional
If you think everything up until now is impressive, and it is. Jessica is also a doctor.
She is a full time physician. She has been a hospitalist, an Intensivist, worked for hospice, and now has her own practice.
This Diabadass is Jessica Fox, DO
She has treated, healed, and helped a lot of people.
Thanks to insulin and her selflessness she has helped so many.

Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you learn something new about type 1 diabetes, insulin, and world diabetes day.
Dr. Fox is a perfect example of how being you makes you even more beautiful.
She is always herself, unless she needs something to eat or drink because her sugar drops and she has not idea what is going on.
Because of this, she is definitely a fashion and beauty icon.
I am lucky enough to call her my friend.
Please wear blue on November 14 to support her and all other diabetics.
Share your diabetes story of yourself or a loved one in the comments or on social with #flauntyyours.
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Flaunty Yours,
A


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