My name is Julie, I’m from Northampton, PA and I have had type 1 diabetes for about four months. I am an active 14-year-old in 9th grade.

The first time I heard about the I-Port™ was through a pamphlet at our local diabetic center. I saw the cover with apples and oranges with syringes in them, picked it up and read everything about the I-Port™. All of the benefits sounded very interesting and I wanted to try one. I mean only one needle injection every three days… that sounded like a dream!

The next month when I went back to the doctor, there were samples of the I-Port™, and I was able to try them. I was a little scared at first and wasn’t exactly sure I if wanted to try one. The I-Port™ seemed like it had a large insertion needle and I thought the catheter would be irritating. After a pep talk, I inserted the I-Port™ and it barely hurt!! I took a sample pack home and have been using, and loving them since then.

My daily insulin regimen is multiple daily injections. I am a growing, active, teenage girl and with this insulin therapy I have to inject every time I eat. I found that my stomach area (where I always injected during the daytime) was getting sore. This was very irritating and bothersome to me. Now with the I-Port™, I just inject into the center of the septum and I don’t feel a thing because my pen needles never come in contact with my skin…the I-Port™ is right there for me, ready to go.

Teenagers, myself included, are very busy. I never wanted my diabetes to restrict me or to make me feel left out. But, there were times before the I-Port™ when it did. For instance, I am in my high school’s drama club and a few months ago we performed our spring musical. During long rehearsals, parents and kids would bring food, snacks and desserts. I didn’t have any because I didn’t want to inject myself just for a snack. I wish I would have had the I-Port™ then so I could have eaten what I wanted and given myself injections as needed. The I-Port™ would have made it very simple to do and I would have been like any other teen there.

Another time I know my I-Port™ will save my day is while I am playing tennis. I am on the high school tennis team. If I need to give an injection while practicing, riding on the bus to a match or during a match, it will be very quick and I can get right back in the game. There won’t be any pinching of skin or searching for a spot. I just inject in the I-Port™ and off I’ll go!

I recently got a seasonal job where I dish out Italian ice. As part of my job I am required to try the flavors and new products. My I-Port™ makes for a discreet, pain free injection. It is very important to me to give my best effort at work, and now I don’t draw attention to myself because the I-Port™ is so small. Again, with the I-Port™ my life is so much easier and I am like every other worker there.

All in all, injections before the I-Port™ slowed me down. Now, with the I-Port™, my daily insulin regimen fits my fast-paced lifestyle. Thank you….thank you….thank you for creating such a life changing product. I know it simplifies my life and I hope others will soon find out the same things I experience everyday using the I-Port™!

Julie
Northampton, PA