M. Milan on Type 1 Diabetes, Bipolar Disorder, Addiction, and Custody Battles

Navigating Type 1 Diabetes and Mental Health

• 💡 Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes six weeks before her sixth birthday, M. Milan, now 28, has managed the condition through various life stages, including college and single motherhood.
• 🧠 She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and inactive addiction in 2016, and later with ADHD, leading to periods of institutionalization and challenges with medication, including lithium during her first pregnancy.
• ⚠️ Milan recounts instances of insulin rationing as a university student and dealing with alcoholism and addiction, often as a coping mechanism for stress and trauma.

Personal Struggles and Resilience

• ⚖️ A significant portion of her current life involves a difficult custody battle for her children, stemming from a messy divorce and past accusations from her parents.
• 💔 She experienced a miscarriage in 2021 and later gave birth to her second son, Owen, describing him as her "rainbow baby."
• 💪 Despite facing significant challenges, including a cancer scare and her parents' disapproval, Milan emphasizes her resilience and determination to advocate for herself and her children.

Coping Mechanisms and Self-Advocacy

• 🥃 Milan discusses how alcohol initially served as a form of self-medication for her bipolar disorder, speeding up and then slowing down her thoughts and emotions, but ultimately leading to blackouts and memory loss.
• 🚫 She has recently achieved over two months of sobriety, noting benefits like increased alertness and a return to the gym, and has found strength in support groups and her own self-advocacy.
• 🗣️ She advocates for boldness and living life on one's own terms, encouraging young people with diabetes to be assertive and understand the consequences of their actions, drawing strength from her family history of resilience.

The Impact of Relationships and Support

• 💔 Her past relationship with her ex-husband was marked by abuse and financial control, leading to her decision not to certify their marriage and a significant weight loss after their separation.
• 🤝 Milan highlights the importance of support systems, including the Juicebox Podcast community, peer support, and her own faith, in navigating her health and life challenges.
• 🏥 She criticizes the lack of understanding and support from some family members, particularly her mother, who she feels dismisses her mental health struggles and focuses on perceived personal failings.

Diabetes Technology and Future Outlook

• 📱 Milan expresses a desire for a bionic pancreas and discusses her experiences with various diabetes technologies, including CGM sensors and insulin pumps, noting how she has rebelled against technology that has failed her.
• 🌟 She emphasizes the importance of self-care, firm boundaries, and believing in oneself, especially for individuals managing chronic conditions and complex life circumstances.
• 🕊️ Milan's message is one of hope and resilience, encouraging others facing similar struggles to keep moving forward, advocate for themselves, and never give up, drawing inspiration from her family's history of overcoming adversity.