VITAL STATS
Name? Lauren Nicole Johnson "Nicole"
How old are you? 28
Where do you live? Washington DC, USA
What do you do?
Diabetes Advocate, Lobbyist, Public Speaker and Author
Anything to declare? I love my jobs - it is an honor to represent people with diabetes worldwide.......does that count?

MORE ABOUT YOU
Where were you born and raised?
Tampa, Florida
Favourite piece of music? Anything by Gershwin, Cole Porter, or Rogers. I am a little old fashioned. I also like country music - Faith Hill, etc.
What makes you laugh? Silly jokes and children
Your greatest achievement? Writing my book - Living With Diabetes - that was so tough.
Sources of strength and inspiration? My faith and my close friends. I am quite spiritual.
Goals for the next year? To further my government initiatives, a better A1c - below 6.5, strengthen relationships
Greatest weakness? Self-esteem.
If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
To find true love, to have healthy, happy children and to find a cure for diabetes.

ME AND THE BIG D
How long ago were you diagnosed with Diabetes? Almost 10 years ago
What does a hypo feel like? I get sweaty, shaky and lose the feeling in my arms
Best/worst/most embarrassing hypo? Tie - falling down in the middle of a crowded mall and having my best friend feed me brownies OR the coma episode I experienced when competing for the Miss Virginia title in 1997.
Does everyone around you know about your D? Yes.
Has Diabetes changed anything about you? It has made me stronger and more diciplined....I am also more compassionate toward others. I am actually really grateful for the diagnosis in that it has enhanced my life so dramatically.
What do you say/do to the food police? Get a clue! I tell them that I am on a pump and can bolus to cover whatever I am eating.
Are you a Person with Diabetes or a Diabetic? I don't care. There are so many more important things to worry about in this world! If "diabetic" feels like an impersonal insulting label, it is probably more to do with the attitude with which it is said and the words that surround it. The latter is a real problem which does deserve discussion.
Public injections - what s the etiquette? In a discrete way....not lifting up your clothes and injection in front of everyone, but being very subtle about it. I don't think it is necessary to go hide to maintain your diabetes....just be respectful of others....most of the time others do not even realize it is happening if you are quite about it.

Any wisdom to share?
We are the ones that are going to change the face of diabetes and reverse the trends that are exploding right now. I encourage you to take the lead in diabetes care and advocacy - do whatever you can to educate more, advocate more and motivate more. I think this is our obligation - I think we have been chosen for this role as individuals living with this disease. Think of this phrase - 'What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?". Please commit yourself to doing more to change the trends - it is possible.

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