CHA HPMC Dietitian Julie Wilson Shares How She Conquered Type 1 Diabetes

Posted by Divya Sathyanarayanan

When Julie Wilson was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes—once known as juvenile diabetes—at the age of 8, she felt isolated and different from the rest of her friends. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body produces little or no insulin. “My life changed the day I was diagnosed. It was hard for me to attend birthday parties and not eat cake. I had to attend type 1 diabetes camps, to overcome the isolation,” says Wilson, who is now a registered dietitian at CHA HPMC.

While diabetes impacted Wilson’s earlier years, it positively guided her decision to become a dietitian—a profession she is passionate about. “A lot of factors contribute to diabetes management—food is one of the main. As a dietitian, I not only help myself make the best food choices, but also help others—who have diabetes—manage their diet well,” she says. Wilson completed her Bachelors in Food Nutrition and is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science.

In her role as a registered dietitian, Wilson works with patients at CHA HPMC—including those with diabetes—to help manage their diets. “With diabetes patients, I share my own experience of taking control of this disease. They feel that I can understand them better as I understand what they are experiencing,” she says.

While at work, Wilson has a supportive team of peers who help her keep track of her blood sugar regularly. “If my blood sugar drops, my team helps me step away for some time and they cover for me,” she says.

Twenty years since her diagnosis, Wilson’s journey with Type 1 diabetes has evolved. Being at CHA HPMC, Wilson is not only able to manage her diabetes but also help others make healthy lifestyle choices in their journey to manage the disease.
 
 
Go to our Patient Stories