Anyone – from any race, age group or background – can be diagnosed with T1D. Despite its breadth, there are many misconceptions about T1D both in and out of the diabetes community. These misconceptions lead to a person balancing managing their disease with managing expectations of those around them. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh each share some of the common misconceptions they’ve experienced and in turn what they wish others understood about what it’s really like to live with T1D.
Type 1 diabetes
Every day, people living with serious diseases strive to be more than their disease — to be defined by what they can dream and hope and achieve, not by what limits them. Our commitment to people with serious diseases is uncompromising and goes beyond our research and development (R&D) and medicines.
The highs and lows of living with type 1 diabetes: Patient roundtable discussions
Meet Josh, Janine, Mila, Ryan and Kylene. They came together from different backgrounds and generations to share their experiences of living with T1D. In the videos below, learn from their conversations on common T1D misconceptions, the importance of advocating for yourself with your doctor, the value of their support systems and how T1D has limited their independence.
Anyone – from any race, age group or background – can be diagnosed with T1D. Despite its breadth, there are many misconceptions about T1D both in and out of the diabetes community. These misconceptions lead to a person balancing managing their disease with managing expectations of those around them. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh each share some of the common misconceptions they’ve experienced and in turn what they wish others understood about what it’s really like to live with T1D.
For people living with T1D and caregivers alike, feeling the responsibility to advocate for care is constant—whether ensuring your voice is heard in the doctor’s office as you discuss management options or advocating on behalf of a loved one navigating their journey. Mila, Kylene and Josh’s conversation here encourages others to stand up for what they need and build the supportive care team that’s right for them.
Living with T1D takes a village. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh share the critical support systems they have that help carry the 24/7 burden of managing T1D. They feel relief in knowing someone else is there to check up on them when they would otherwise be afraid to be alone.
T1D is more than its symptoms – it impacts every aspect of a person’s life and can change how they think about their independence. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh share what it's like to travel alone, the complications that have limited their independence – like vision loss; and how their disease might prevent a career change. These are universals we all experience, yet T1D creates a layer of complication we may not have realized.
For people living with T1D and caregivers alike, feeling the responsibility to advocate for care is constant—whether ensuring your voice is heard in the doctor’s office as you discuss management options or advocating on behalf of a loved one navigating their journey. Mila, Kylene and Josh’s conversation here encourages others to stand up for what they need and build the supportive care team that’s right for them.
Living with T1D takes a village. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh share the critical support systems they have that help carry the 24/7 burden of managing T1D. They feel relief in knowing someone else is there to check up on them when they would otherwise be afraid to be alone.
T1D is more than its symptoms – it impacts every aspect of a person’s life and can change how they think about their independence. Ryan, Janine, Mila, Kylene and Josh share what it's like to travel alone, the complications that have limited their independence – like vision loss; and how their disease might prevent a career change. These are universals we all experience, yet T1D creates a layer of complication we may not have realized.
Working with the type 1 diabetes community
We work with organizations that help people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) live active, full lives.
We are committed to investigating and advancing potential cell therapies aimed at treating T1D. Vertex seeks to identify opportunities where we can support, engage with and learn from people living with T1D and represent the T1D patient voice within Vertex.
Vertexians supporting the 2022 JDRF One Walk.
Engaging with the T1D community
We are proud to work with and support many organizations in the diabetes community including:
Vertexians attend the 2023 Joslin Diabetes High Hopes Gala.
Supporting diabetes awareness and education
We're a proud supporter of several of the American Diabetes Association’s State of Diabetes regional programs. The State of Diabetes series brings together diverse stakeholders to address health inequity and inspire solutions and resources to improve diabetes management, prevention and overall health and wellness.
Sponsorships
We were the inaugural sponsor of JDRF’s Clinical Trial Connection Program, an initiative that provides educational resources and connects people living with type 1 diabetes with clinical trials that are actively recruiting participants.
Learn about our work in type 1 diabetes
To learn more about our type 1 diabetes studies in the U.S., visit the clinical trials website. For information about non-U.S. sites, visit clinicaltrials.gov.
Featured stories
Targeting type 1 diabetes
1 min read
We’re investigating type 1 diabetes at the cellular level. Hear from experts in our type 1 diabetes podcast episode, in partnership with Bloomberg Media Studios.
Meet (a few of) Vertex’s type 1 diabetes team members
4 min read
Incredible talent and cross-functional collaboration. All that and more with Vertex’s type 1 diabetes team. Meet a few of the team members who are making a difference.
Vertex employees share their experiences with type 1 diabetes
6 min read
We are lucky to have some of our very own ‘Vertexians’ willing to share their stories about living with or caring for someone with T1D. We invite you to learn from them and help raise awareness for T1D this month.