About me

Hello,

Allow me to introduce myself, the person behind the T1D Journey book series project.

My name is Julien Thiebaut, I was born in 2000 in France, and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 4 in 2005. It was an unexpected and upsetting diagnosis for my family and me, as we had no diabetic relatives and no knowledge of the disease.

At the time of my diagnosis, my parents were barely trained by the medical team and had to learn everything on the fly, without any support, not even psychological. As for me, no one took the time to explain what this disease was; I just had to face its harsh reality (injections, etc.), while my parents were themselves shocked and lost.

Me, a few days after being discharged from
the hospital.

I have very few memories of that hospitalization, except for visits from my relatives and school friends, as well as the gifts my family gave me, but I remember it being a troubled time.

The nutritionist was inexperienced in this matter and imposed a drastic and unrealistic diet on my parents, banning all sweets or treats and restricting certain types of foods because of their glycemic index (while there are many equivalent carbohydrate alternatives, and, let's remember, T1D people can eat anything!).

Fortunately, my mother quickly distanced herself from this diet, gradually allowing me to have a normal, balanced, and enjoyable diet.

I quickly accepted my "fate" and never complained about the care and constraints imposed by this disease.

Me, when things started to get sooooo complicated
at school. Yes I was actually 10 here, lol.
Peep the Diet Coke can.

 

As I grew up, quite quickly, despite doing fairly well in school and having good friends, the teaching staff was extremely intolerant and strict towards me regarding diabetes care, forbidding me from checking my blood sugar during break times, eating snacks in class, and many other absurd annoyances that made my schooling a hell for years and put my life in danger, to the point of creating a school phobia that led me to switch to homeschooling for several years, which, in my opinion, was the best thing that ever happened to me, strengthening my autonomy and independence outside the medical field. Their attitude could have made me feel excluded and inferior, but instead, I understood that I was indeed different, but that it wouldn't prevent me from succeeding. And I did! After passing my baccalaureate and a degree in Communication/Marketing on the first try, I am currently undergoing training in art and graphic design.

Diabetes inevitably affects my life; it's constraining, annoying, painful, frustrating, and stressful. It forces me to wake up every night, endure many injections, cancel things, or take breaks. But I wouldn't change any of it for the world because my diagnosis is probably what shaped the values I appreciate the most: compassion, courage, resilience, determination, and patience... I am convinced that my diagnosis made me a better person, and that's why I embrace it and am proud of it.

I have never been ashamed to embrace who I am. I am not defined solely by T1D, but T1D is a part of me, and I am proud of it. I want to dedicate my time and energy to supporting people who are going through the same journey, wholeheartedly and sincerely, by mobilizing more and more for better acceptance and representation of our community, and above all, access to insulin for all at a reasonable price. I am determined, to the best of my ability, to contribute something to the community.

Me goofing of at school with
an anonymous troublemaker!

Even today, I continue to learn a lot about T1D thanks to the community. I believe we can never be completely perfect, and that's fine like that! Knowing that we are not alone and that there are other people fighting the same battle is empowering. For example, at 23, I have only just dared to take the plunge into using CGMs, which I was afraid of until now. There is no shame in going through this journey at our own pace because it's ours, and we can always improve ourselves, so there's no need to feel guilty or regretful.

Apart from diabetes, I am passionate about art and photography, music, writing, and video games. I love drawing immensely; it's my greatest passion. Clearly a geek, my favorite video game universe is Zelda, and I am also a fan of retro gaming. I adore music, mainly the music of my childhood and adolescence (2008-2012) : Lady Gaga, Kesha, Flo Rida, Katy Perry, Rihanna..., rock, and 80s songs. In addition to these books, I also write short stories and novels about the paranormal. I am always curious to discover new things and learn, and I am fascinated by so many different random subjects like the paranormal, the 80s, urbex, Coca-Cola, vinyl records, pop culture, documentaries, animals, and unsolved mysteries.

Here are some portraits I have created in recent years:

Get to know me :

What are your hobbies?

Drawing, paiting, writing, videogames, photography.

Do you collect anything?

Art books, vinyl records, Coca-Cola bottles and cans, pop culture figurines, stamps and a lot of random stuff... In a way, Dr. Martens boots too.

What are you passionate about?

Unsolved mysteries, videogames, T1D community, music, 80's...

What is your most prized possession?

My baptism medal, because even though I'm now a fervent atheist, I've never taken it off since the day of my baptism, and it reminds me of my grandmother who gave it to me.

What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

For real? Surviving 17 years of diabetes lol.

What is on your bucket list?

Visiting Austria and many other european countries.

What is your best childhood memory?

Just being a child, you know, not having exams and other boring stuff...

What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween probably.

Who knows you best?

The best caregiver in the world a.k.a. my mother.

What family member are you closest to?

I think you guessed, lol.

What skill would you most like to learn?

I'd love to play the guitar, but for a more professional pursuit, I'd say a better understanding of the Adobe Suite, haha.

Where is the coolest place you traveled?

Spain.

What is your earliest memory?

To be honest I'd say my diagnosis as I don't remember life as a non-T1D.

Who is your hero?

Sir Banting is the GOAT.

Whose opinion do you care most about?

No one.

What is the most important decision you have ever made so far?

Every decision I make on a daily basis to stay alive, I guess.

What do you enjoy spending money on?

Food.

What is something that always makes you smile?

My dog, because he's cute, dumb and fun.

What are you most thankful for?

Insulin.

What do you wish more people understand about you?

My condition, obviously.

What is the greatest challenge or struggle you have ever faced?

I know you know.

What is the biggest risk you ever took?

Being type one diabetic.