When Steven and I started The Diabetic Travel Guide, we had one simple goal: to show people with diabetes that they can travel confidently and experience everything the world has to offer.
Everything we share on this website comes from real life—our successes, our challenges, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Today, I’m excited to share a personal milestone that’s been years in the making.
I officially passed the NCLEX and am now a Registered Nurse!
This achievement means so much to me, not only because of the long hours of studying and clinicals, but because I reached this milestone while living with Type 1 diabetes. There were days when blood sugar highs, lows, pod changes, sensor changes, and the everyday responsibilities of managing diabetes had to fit alongside exams, clinical rotations, and life outside of school. Like so many people living with diabetes, I learned that sometimes you simply adapt and keep moving forward.
I’ll soon begin my career as a Mother-Baby and NICU nurse, and while I’m incredibly excited for this next chapter, it’s also a stepping stone toward a dream I’ve had for many years: becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).
That dream began long before nursing school.
Five years after I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, my younger brother was diagnosed as well. Watching him begin the same journey I had already experienced gave me a completely different perspective on living with diabetes. I understood the fears, the questions, the carb counting, the sleepless nights, and the constant adjustments because I had lived them myself. It made me realize just how important education, encouragement, and support can be for individuals and families learning to navigate life with Type 1 diabetes.
Another person who has had a profound impact on my life is my childhood diabetes educator, Nurse Judy McNutt, who is still part of my life today. She didn’t just teach me how to manage diabetes—she gave me confidence, encouraged me through challenges, and showed me that I could live a full and meaningful life despite my diagnosis. Her compassion, patience, and encouragement inspired me more than she probably realizes.
Because of both my brother and my childhood diabetes educator, Nurse Judy, whose compassion and encouragement helped shape my own journey, I knew I wanted to one day make that same difference in the lives of others.
My hope is to become the kind of diabetes educator that every child deserves—someone who not only teaches them how to manage Type 1 diabetes but also helps them believe that their diagnosis does not define them or limit what they can accomplish. If I can help a child feel a little less scared after a new diagnosis, encourage a family who feels overwhelmed, or inspire someone with Type 1 diabetes to chase their dreams with confidence, then I’ll know I’ve made a difference.
Becoming a nurse allows me to build the clinical knowledge that complements the lived experience I’ve gained over the years. My goal is to combine both as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist while continuing to advocate for the diabetes community through The Diabetic Travel Guide.
This blog has never been just about vacations. It’s about showing that diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from chasing your dreams, whether that’s exploring a new country, spending a weekend at Disney, starting a new career, or reaching a milestone you once thought was impossible.
As I grow in my nursing career, I’ll continue sharing our travel adventures, practical diabetes travel tips, and the lessons I learn along the way. My hope is that this website continues to encourage people living with diabetes to explore the world with confidence and remind them that they are capable of far more than their diagnosis may lead them to believe.
Thank you for following our journey, supporting our blog, and being part of this incredible community.
We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where this next adventure takes us.
