Where do I start? I was diagnosed about 3 years ago by my sister (who is a nurse working for my primary care physician, and a type 1 diabetic as well). Oddly enough, the two of us are the only known type 1 diabetics in 3 generations of my family's history, and both of us were diagnosed at the same age!

The diagnosis completely changed my career goals. I decided to apply for pharmacy programs after learning about the Asheville project, in which pharmacists play a key role in helping diabetics manage their condition. So now I'm attending the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN, to learn to be a specializing pharmacists like those in Asheville, while also learning quite a bit about conducting laboratory research as well.

One more thing... It's easy just to think of a pharmacist as the person who counts by 5's, sticks a label on a bottle, and takes your money. Remember that we're health care professionals too, and the ones best trained in drug therapy. Don't be afraid to get counseling from the pharmacist... he\she can be very valuable in helping you optimize your diabetes regimen, or any other disease treatment for that matter.