### Julia Buckley's Journey with Type 1 Diabetes Julia Buckley, a flight attendant from Florida, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 43. Despite the challenges, she managed to continue her career and even started a blog to share her experiences. #### Early Symptoms and Diagnosis In 2007, Julia experienced symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and significant weight loss. Initially, her doctors did not recognize these as signs of diabetes. It was only after a glucose tolerance test that she was diagnosed with T1D. #### Managing Diabetes Julia's primary care doctor and endocrinologist confirmed her diagnosis and started her on insulin therapy. She began with five shots a day and later transitioned to using an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This technology allowed her to return to work within four months. #### Finding Support Julia found immense support through the Diabetes Online Community (DOC). She also started her blog, **Adventures of a Type 1 Traveler**, to share her journey and help others. She attended conferences and connected with other T1D individuals, which provided her with valuable tips and a sense of community. #### Educating Others Julia took the opportunity to educate her coworkers about T1D. She also created a Facebook group, **T1D Flight Attendants**, to share tips and support fellow flight attendants with diabetes. #### Blogging and Future Plans In 2018, Julia started blogging about her travel experiences and how she manages T1D while traveling solo. She plans to expand her blog to discuss aging with T1D, as she turned 55 in 2019. Julia's story is a testament to resilience and the importance of community support in managing chronic conditions like T1D.