From misdiagnosis to mission: How Kyhla Desire fights for Black children with diabetes

From misdiagnosis to mission: How Kyhla Desire fights for Black children with diabetes

Kyhla Desire's story highlights the delayed diagnoses and disparities faced by Black youth with Type 1 diabetes. The African American Diabetes Association works to address these issues.

From Misdiagnosis to Mission: How Kyhla Desire Fights for Black Children With Diabetes

By Megan Sayles Kyhla Desire was misdiagnosed twice before her family finally determined she had Type 1 diabetes at age five. Her doctor initially told her mother she just had the flu— a common mistake since many of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, such as fatigue, body aches, chills and vomiting,  mimic those of the flu. But, Desire’s blood sugar was never checked.  It was a great aunt, who was a nurse and diabetic, that noticed Desire’s increa…

Sevanah and Georgia Pantelis call out 'inequitable' cost of vital diabetes devices

Years after her younger sister Georgia was diagnosed with type-one diabetes, Sevanah Pantelis began experiencing similar symptoms, according to the Advertiser. At just 10 years old, she received the same diagnosis, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey both sisters would share. “I was really annoyed that it got me too,” the now 30-year-old told The Advertiser. For two decades, the sisters have navigated the constant demands of the conditio…