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Name: Cherise Shockley

Age at Diagnosis: 23

Cherise's story: "In June of 2004, I went to the doctor because I had a yeast infection that I couldn't get rid of. I didn't know I would walk out of the appointment with a diabetes diagnosis at the age of 23. The nurse practitioner was a little confused; I did not fit the build of a type 2, but I wasn't a juvenile to have type 1. I was told I needed to see an endocrinologist because she couldn't figure out what was going on with me. A few weeks later I saw one who ran a few tests and confirmed that I had LADA.

"What is LADA? LADA is the slow onset of type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults. When I was diagnosed with LADA, my c-peptide was 1.4 and the GAD65 test came back positive for antibodies. I decided to start taking oral medication as my treatment but was told by my endocrinologist that I would need insulin therapy within 4-6 years of my diagnosis. He was correct.

"In January of 2008, I was placed on insulin and my honeymoon phase was over. My situation is a little unique. I was not misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes like many other LADA patients. I was blessed to have a nurse practitioner who realized I had diabetes, but did not try to act as a specialist. I was blessed to have an endocrinologist who recognized the signs, understood the test, and diagnosed me correctly. I am asked all the time, "Why don't you just say you have type 1?" My response? "I do not have type 1 diabetes. I have LADA. The type I have didn't progress over night." Healthcare professionals need to know LADA exists, and so does the rest of the world."

VIDEO: Cherise tells her story

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