In March 2010, Lizzie’s life was instantly flipped upside down. Diagnosed with a life threatening disease known as Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Since her Diagnosis, Lizzie has found a passion to raise awareness & help bring comfort to others who have been diagnosed with T1D.
Corey met Lizzie 11 years after her T1D diagnosis, and since then, he has tried to expand his knowledge and has joined Lizzie in her pursuit to spread awareness.
Lizzie Linebacker’s is a team started by Lizzie for her first JDRF walk in 2010. We are a group of Lizzie’s family & friends joining together as a team to walk & raise awareness to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
My favorite hats to wear are wife, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend. On March 3, 2010 I was given a hat that no one wants – type 1 diabetic.
Since that day, I’ve taken on the challenge of managing type 1 diabetes with all the energy and positivity I could. Learning the ins and outs of blood sugar levels, insulin injections, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle became my new normal. It hasn’t been easy, but it has certainly been a journey of growth and empowerment.
I’ve poured my heart and soul into mastering the art of living with diabetes, and along the way, I’ve become a voice for others facing similar challenges. The friendship within the diabetes community is truly remarkable, and I’ve found solace in sharing experiences, offering support, and being a beacon of hope for anyone feeling overwhelmed by this condition.
My biggest dream? To see a world where type 1 diabetes is no longer a part of our lives. I hold onto that hope tightly, and it fuels my passion for contributing to the cause – whether it’s spreading awareness, fundraising for research, or simply being a source of inspiration for those who need it.
So here’s to embracing life’s unexpected turns and turning them into opportunities for growth and change. I’m thrilled to connect with you and share more about my journey, my aspirations, and the incredible community that surrounds us.
~ Lizzie Lackey
Living with someone who has Type 1 Diabetes has been eye-opening, and I see the struggles and toll it puts on my wife. T1D can be an inconvenience and is frustrating for her, especially when she has to interrupt what she is doing just to change out her pump, monitor, or treat a low. However, she owns it like a superhero. There are times when her devices alarm and wake us up in the middle of the night. Sometimes she will experience a quick dropping low, and we have to get out of bed and head to the kitchen because her nightstand’s stock of “low snacks” is depleted.
Being a part of several significant other support threads, I notice a lot of negative comments as well as a lot of worry. Thankfully, my wife is extremely disciplined when it comes to T1D, and she knows her body well. She can often sense a high or low as it is coming. I truly lucked out with Lizzie when it comes to having a spouse with T1D. She manages it so well that there are even times I don’t even think about her as having T1D.
I want to encourage anyone out there who knows and loves someone with Type 1 Diabetes. As scary as type 1 is, it is manageable, but no one can manage it better than those who live with it. Don’t try to micromanage them. All you can do is be supportive and understanding. Try not to take it personally if they are having a low/high and snap at you. Keep snacks or glucose tablets with you just in case, but try not to tell your loved one that they should eat a snack or do better at managing their blood sugar. If your loved one seems to be having a low, just grab a snack for yourself and ask them if they want one too or if they would like to share. Most of all, pray for them and others who are affected by T1D. Pray for them and for a cure.
-Corey Lackey