Episode 70: Chyna Gal

Toni calls in from China. Toni has lived in China now for 6 years. She went to China for University.

Originally from the Bahamas Toni was diagnosed T1D in 2013 at the age of 14.

After high school she decided to move to China knowing how easily accessible insulin is, plus she was familiar with China.

Her grandfather is from China. Toni has recently turned 26. In the Bahamas all diabetes care supplies are 100% covered until 18 and if you are in school you are covered until 26. In China she must see her endocrinologist every month.

Toni speaks about seeing the relationships with China and the US (brother/sister) and how when Obama was in office

how great it was but today it is not.

In December 2019, Toni left on the last flight out from China to the Bahamas. She did not know that it was the last flight out. There were no regulations at the time. Then she heard of the "China Flu" and Covid came, and it changed the world. When she arrived home to the Bahamas she had to quarantine for 8 days.

The way Toni was diagnosed, for her is funny looking back on it. She was in food and nutrition class and got burned.

She went to the nurse and her blood sugar was tested the nurse told her that she needed to call her mom, not wanting to concern Toni, she gave her a water bottle and asked her to walk around the school. Her mom came and rushed her to the hospital. Her blood sugar was over 600!

The age of 14 is a great transitional time for all growing young girls, for Toni it was even that much greater after being diagnosed with T1D. The great thing is that Toni had then and still has today a family and support system that stays by her side, continues to love and support her, went through every diabetes education course with her and just remained her core from day one.

Follow Toni on Instagram Type1Toni242