Type 1 Diabetes
A look into the lives of those affected
By Hayden Bates
March 3, 2025
TOLEDO, OH — Type 1 diabetes is a hidden battle that is often known by its stereotypes rather than the science behind it.
Lyla Jordan ‘28, Layla Gladieux ‘28, Maeve Loisel ‘28 and Julia Jordan ‘29 are four SUA students with Type 1 diabetes who fight for their lives everyday.
“It’s very much something that is overlooked,” said Lyla.
Mrs. Lindsay Jordan, Director of Advancement at SUA, is the mother of Lyla and Julia, both Type 1 diabetics diagnosed within a few months of each other.
“I am most proud of my girls for their bravery and resilience.” Mrs. Jordan said, “They go about life as if it's completely normal, even when we all know it is not.”
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease categorized by the body’s inability to make the hormone insulin. It affects all aspects of life, both during waking hours and when asleep.
“It’s like having two separate lives, there is before diagnosis and after diagnosis,” Mrs. Jordan said “You can call them two chapters, because it completely changes our entire day-to-day.”
This is everyday life for Type 1 diabetics, always striving to find a “normal” that can no longer be attained.
From left to right: Lyla Jordan ‘28, Maeve Loisel ‘28, and Layla Gladieux ‘28 became fast friends over their common diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Photo Courtesy: Hayden Bates ‘25 of the Ursuline.
As teenagers this is especially taxing. Social life, school, sports and all other aspects of life take a huge hit when mixed in with the added weight of having to keep yourself alive with devices, insulin vials and juice boxes or fruit snacks.
Ms. Muszynski, a Junior Academy history teacher, has done her best to help shoulder some of that weight for her diabetic students. She has even gone as far to download the Dexcom Share app which allows her to see her students’ blood sugar at all times, which helps to ensure their safety while at school.
When asked why she takes these extra steps, Ms. Muszynski said, “They are still kids.”
Ms. Muszynski poses for a picture with her Dexcom Share app.
Photo Courtesy: Hayden Bates ‘25 of the Ursuline.
