I was 11-years-old when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I remember feeling extremely tired and dehydrated. My vision was blurry, my head was in constant pain, and I had lost an immense amount of weight which I was ignorantly praised for.

My diagnosis came as a shock to the whole family as, to our knowledge, there was no history of type 1 diabetes in our bloodline. Yet, as I lay in the hospital emergency room with Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) sitting upward of 20mmol/L, it was hard to refute. It was also very hard to accept.

Beyond being a prepubescent young girl facing the standard societal struggles each young person faces, I was dealing with a chronic illness and that meant I was different.

I felt like I stood out and I hated it. I tried to hide having type 1 diabetes. I just wanted to fit in and destroyed myself trying to do so.

The younger me wanted to cater to this unrealistic beauty standard I’d been told would solve all my problems. A standard I now know I cannot reach without destroying myself.

A beauty standard no one can reach – failed pancreas or not.

After years of self-neglect and misplaced shame, I’ve decided to start loving and accepting my body.

I wish someone could have told me as an 11-year-old or even as a 21-year-old: “You are unique, but you are not alone.”

In all my vulnerability and grown self-confidence, these images are me at my rawest living life unapologetically.

I hope this series of photos helps someone else out there. I hope you hear my voice. I hope you know how amazing you are.

Isabella Magee (@isabellagmagee), lives with type 1 diabetes