Aniin(hello), my name is Maureen Hearns and I am the Indigenous Cultural Guide for Centennial College. I was diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of 32. It has been such a life changing experience for me. My daily routine is always centered around my blood glucose levels and food. Before the diagnoses I never had to think about it. I could eat when and whatever I wanted. This also affects the ceremonies that I feel uncomfortable in participating in such as fasting and Sundance. They are ceremonies that take energy with little or no food or water intake. Every morning I get up and check my sugar levels: these dictate what I will have for breakfast. Eggs are my friend. I try to eat very little of carbohydrates. I keep rice, bread, pasta to a minimum. One of my biggest struggles have been with the health care system who encourage you to follow the Canadian Food Guide. This includes the revised Indigenous Food Guide. I would rather listen to my body as I know it best. I follow the Indigenous traditional diet as much as possible. I eat meat such as bison, elk, deer, beef, chicken and fish. I also love berries and fruit but fruit also has natural sugars and can spike my blood sugars. I also have to make sure I eat enough so I do not experience low blood sugar. When it gets too low I see a blinding white light that affects my ability to see anything. When this happens, you run the risk of falling into a coma should you go unconscious. I keep food in my purse, car and by my bed. It is always a balance between the intake of food, insulin and physical exercise. I am unfortunately one of the people where weight loss does not eliminate the disease. I love walking, swimming and working out with weights and I am looking forward to the warm weather. Another area is the neuropathy that can affect feet. Comfortable shoes are so important, at this point style goes out the window. This is only a few issues surrounding the issues with this disease. I know proper self-care is needed as I grow older.