This post is by Stacey – read her bio here!
One year ago today, my life changed forever. One year ago today, something beautiful began. One year ago today, was the very first type 1 women’s support group started by Katie Savin I am very thankful that I was reading SUM and found out about the new support group!
Being diagnosed when I was 5, I have lived practically my entire life as a diabetic. But up until a few years ago, I never really knew others who were going through similar things as I. My father was a type 1 as well but he was much older than me, in a different phase of his life. Sadly, he also wasn’t healthy for a long time. And although my family supported me wholeheartedly, I never really got to share my experiences with people who got it. I first found fellow type 1′s online. I couldn’t believe how great it was to have others I could relate to. Ask questions to. Complain to. Share my fears with. All of this with people like me, not from those just trying to understand from an “outside” point of view. Then I read about this support group that I could easily attend. Was it possible that I could meet others like this in real life? Well it was. And so I went. And it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve made such wonderful friends and have a great time at each and every support group meeting. We all may have different diagnosis stories and life stories but there’s that one thing that we all have in common that brings us together a few times a month. And I wouldn’t give it up for anything!!
Thank you Katie for bringing us all together and for offering a place for support that I’ve never had before 
If you are reading this, are a type 1 female, live in the NYC area and haven’t been to our support groups, you must join us!
Happy Anniversary to “The Young Women w/ Diabetes”!! It changed my life too Stacey. I thank you for introducing me to the group. I thank Katie for starting it. ACT1 is a direct result of the YWWD group.
Very nice. I’m glad you all have an outlet of support. I’m also glad there’s a co-ed support group, too. How else could I learn how wonderful all of you ladies are?
How many times have I told you how thankful I am you found these girls?? I am so very thankful and so happy for you to have them.
I want to thank Katie and all the women I’ve met through this group for helping me survive my first year as a (diagnosed) T1.
I felt so utterly lost, googling my way through contradictory and sometimes terrifying information on the internet, but then I saw a post mentioning the group. I found a way to contact Katie, sent her an email and hoped that I didn’t seem as shaky as I felt. Soon after, I got an email from Katie that was so kind and welcoming that I burst into tears and snifflingly resolved to go to the next group meeting.
I hope that everybody in my position can find a kind, funny, varied group like this one to gently educate them about life as pwd. It helps. It really, really helps.
Thank you, Katie!!!!!!
Awesome Katie!!
Thanks for getting us together for the women’s group! I am so happy that ACT1 was born from this and we were able to get this going!
I love all of you!
Congratulations to the brilliant and visionary Katie. Look how much good you’ve done in the world, and you’re still so young! You’ve already made an amazing humanitarian contribution, and fortunately you know how grateful all the people you’ve helped are.
Wowza you all are truly amazing. I’m flattered by the recognitions – and hope you all realize that you have completely changed my life and that this group is made up by all of us together! We accomplish so much for our community and for ourselves as individuals when we come together, and I hope this anniversary is the first of many to come. Going for the tissues now…
You gals (and guys) are so lucky to have each other. Make the most of your connections!
Katie, I am so proud of you. You changed your life this year by creating the support network you needed. And you changed the lives of so many other PWDs as well. And I appreciate all of you letting me and other “type 3′s” into your community as well – I know I have benefited enormously. I’m very excited for year 2 and all the amazing things I know you all will accomplish!
Katie did a wonderful thing bringing the ACT1 ladies together – and your beautiful post did the group justice!! I’m so glad you all found each other and I’m glad I was able to attend one of the meetings!!
Katie—1 word Awesome! You rock! Thank you for creating such an awesome group! I wish I lived in the NY area.
Happy Anniversary to the group! I enjoy it as much as you all do!:) A special “thank you” to Katie for starting the group and to Stacey for introducing me to it:) Thank you ladies!