Maryam Elarbi

Maryam Elarbi is an 18-year-old freshman in college who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. Eight months after her diagnosis, Maryam’s family began attending the “Children With Diabetes” conferences, which changed their entire view on Type 1 and how to cope with it. Over the past eight years, Maryam has been actively involved in advocating for people with Type 1 through these conferences, as well as fund-raising for diabetes research through JDRF’s annual “Walk to Cure Diabetes.” In her spare time, Maryam enjoys reading (especially works by Jane Austen and Kurt Vonnegut), writing, spending time in the beautiful city of Philadelphia, and defeating her brothers in the new “Dance Central 2″ game. (Maryam Elarbi is not a medical professional.)

Trying to Stay Positive

One of the lessons I’ve learned through having Type 1 diabetes for nine years is that you can’t under any circumstance compare yourself …

Fasting During Ramadan

Because we are Muslim, every year for one month my family observes the fast for Ramadan. Fasting occurs from dawn until sunset; any time before and after we can eat as normal. I’ve been fasting for the month for as long as I can remember… Read More “Fasting During Ramadan”

Friends for Life 2012: Part 2

I’ve had diabetes longer than any of the kids in my group have been alive. I know that 9 going on 10 years isn’t THAT long, but I can honestly say it made me feel old. Growing up is such a fickle experience. One minute all you want is to get older, and the next you realize time is flying by faster than you can keep up… Read More “Friends for Life 2012: Part 2”

Friends for Life 2012: Part 1

This year the Friends for Life (FFL) conference was incredible. I have so much to write about, so strap in for quite a fun-filled two-part post! Read More “Friends for Life 2012: Part 1”

Meeting Louis: FFL 2007

There are moments in our lives that become the most important, and for me one such moment was back in 2007 at the Friends for Life (FFL) conference being held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. I’ve thought about writing this post for quite some time, but because it’s so personal I really wanted to wait for the right moment to do so… Read More “Meeting Louis: FFL 2007”

Shout Out to the Siblings

I spend a lot of my time talking about diabetes from my point of view or from the point of view of other people I know who have diabetes. Not that that’s at all unexpected or out of the ordinary, but I wanted to take this post to write about the siblings of those who have diabetes… Read More “Shout Out to the Siblings”

Thoughts On a Cure

About a year and a half ago I attended a Children with Diabetes (CWD) conference in Marco Island, Florida, where there was a session held by someone from JDRF regarding the potential for a cure and what a cure might actually look like. I could tell from the start of the session that it wasn’t going to be one I particularly enjoyed… Read More “Thoughts On a Cure”

ADA: “Undercover” Product Scout

For five days in June, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) conference was held in my beautiful city, Philadelphia. I checked out the scene and gathered some interesting stuff to write about… Read More “ADA: “Undercover” Product Scout”

I Can’t Stop

We all have at least one song that really gets us going. A song that comes on and gets you so pumped, so motivated, to just… GO! For me, that song is “I Can’t Stop” by Flux Pavilion. I use the same mentality when it comes to diabetes. I can’t stop. (Literally…) Read More “I Can’t Stop”

Crisis Averted

This past Thursday I saw an amazing documentary in Philadelphia with my mom, cousin, and two of my friends, called Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World. In all, it was a really fantastic night…aside from my uncooperative blood sugars… Read More “Crisis Averted”