September 12, 2024 Facing adulthood: challenges for young woman living with diabetes

Transitioning from late teenage years to adulthood is difficult for anyone. For Jennifer Lopez of Winnipeg, Manitoba, the challenges of this transition were layered with anxiety and depression, the shift from pediatric to adult care, family financial problems, and big decisions about her future — all of which negatively impacted her diabetes management. 
 
Now a young adult, Jennifer has lived with type 2 diabetes since she was in her early adolescence. From her first few years of living with diabetes, she stepped forward to ensure the realities and voices of kids with diabetes were heard, volunteering as a research participant and patient advisor at the local children’s hospital. 

Multiple struggles: financial, mental health, diabetes care 

By Jennifer’s late teen years, she faced a whole new set of realities: “My dad was on disability, my mom was working part-time… I received scholarship money during my last year of high school, which I had to give to my parents to save our house and meet our basic needs. When it came to food decisions, we had to pick between healthier foods that wouldn’t feed everybody or poor-quality foods that would. Diabetes management added a financial strain that didn’t make our situation any easier.” 
  
Managing diabetes can be expensive. In Manitoba, people living with type 2 diabetes may have to pay up to $6,702 in out-of-pocket costs per year, or up to 9% of family income. When drug costs exceed 3% of a family's annual income, they become "catastrophic." For Jennifer, this meant considering whether she could afford to buy insulin or if she should try to make it last by rationing it or skipping doses. 
  
“On top of diabetes expenses, the increased accountability and responsibility when I went from pediatric care to adult care felt very sudden. When you’re so used to having caring, all-around support, and then it’s all gone, it feels almost like you are not as important as you were before,” says Jennifer. “All this at a time when I was already struggling with mental health issues.”

 

Pausing to take care of her health 

Unready to make big decisions about post-secondary education, Jennifer took a couple of years to work while pausing her career path. She felt very alone during this time but drew upon her patient advocacy experiences with the hospital. Reflecting on a time when she felt valued, that her voice and perspective mattered, and that she was contributing to better care for others motivated Jennifer to continue playing a role as an ally and advocate. 
  
“It was a time of self-discovery, getting my life back together, doing a lot on my own, and learning about myself. That’s when I became interested in working with foster kids in the child and family services system and discovered the Child and Youth Care Diploma program at Red River College Polytechnic,” explains Jennifer. “I was drawn to the parallels between my experience transitioning to adult healthcare and the gaps in the system supporting youth aging out of care.” 
  
Having made her decision about school, Jennifer began investing in herself. She worked, sought support in therapy, and focused on improving her physical and mental health. Jennifer started school in 2019, with roles as a youth care worker and a residential child and family services support worker along the way, and completed her diploma in 2022. 

Drawing on her strengths to help and advocate for others today

Today, Jennifer is a teaching assistant in the program from which she graduated, working at Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth in Winnipeg. Jennifer is also a board member of the Child And Youth Care Workers' Association Of Manitoba, co-chair and ongoing research participant at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, and a model in Diabetes Canada’s Pump Couture fashion show. 
  
“Those years out of school were a blessing because they helped me to realize what I’m capable of, that I’m a helper, and that to help others, I have to help myself first,” Jennifer reflects. “Now my life is on track, I’m healthy, and my advocacy work motivates me to keep well — for myself and for those I’m helping. The connection between my experiences with diabetes management and my passion today for working with children and youth is like the cherry on top of everything else.”

Note: Diabetes Canada advocates for provinces and territories to adopt the Framework for Diabetes in Canada (the Framework) including equitable access to diabetes medication, supplies and medical devices.The province of Manitoba has recently launched its Diabetes Action Plan to improve diabetes prevention, treatment, and health outcomes as well as eliminated the age barrier to access insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Learn more about how you can support Diabetes Canada's advocacy work.