Antoinette Worsham wears a shirt with a photograph of her daughter Antavia Lee-Worsham while sitting for a portrait inside of her home in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 15, 2021. Antavia died after laying down while feeling sick. An autopsy report identified the cause of death as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. Antavia, a Type 1 diabetic, had been rationing her insulin due to concerns about affording the medication, Antoinette said.

Antoinette Worsham holds her daughter’s ashes while sitting for a portrait in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 15, 2021.

Amanda, Torrey, and Ronin Seaton in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

Amanda Seaton, a Type 1 diabetic, squeezes blood out of the tip of finger while checking her blood glucose levels before eating dinner in Columbus, Ohio, on October 14, 2021. “Rationing of insulin is causing people’s death,” she said. “It’s because you need it, and it’s tragic because people should have access to that lifesaving medicine.” “ I often feel as though when I speak with insurance companies, I’m being punished for something that I have absolutely zero control over.”

Amanda Seaton, left, helps her eight year old son Ronin check his blood sugar levels as reported by his insulin pump, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. “I think it’s good that I have diabetes for my son so that he can see me as a role model,” said Seaton. “I’m hoping that it helps him feel better about himself. And more confident in making smart decisions so he stays healthy because he’s not embarrassed.”

Amanda Seaton, left, helps her son Ronin check his insulin pump, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021. “I think it’s good that I have diabetes for my son so that he can see me as a role model,” said Seaton. “I’m hoping that it helps him feel better about himself. And more confident in making smart decisions so he stays healthy because he’s not embarrassed.”

Amanda, Torrey, and Ronin Seaton in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

Ronin Seaton, center, laughs while reading before bedtime with his mother Amanda Seaton and father Torrey Seaton, in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 14, 2021. Ronin, like his mother, is Type 1. The financial component of diabetes care for their family has come at a cost. “If my son and I didn’t have diabetes, we could afford a home,” Seaton said.

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021.

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

An assortment of items including pens, kitchen utensils and used prescription bottles are seen on the counter above’s sink inside Mirna Malinar’s home in Sandusky, Ohio, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna Malinar sorts through donated insulin she keeps inside of her refrigerator to send out in emergency backpacks for students in need that the Be A Part Of It Foundation donates, in Sandusky, Ohio, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna Malinar, a Type 1 diabetic, sorts through diabetic supplies in her home stockroom in Sandusky, Ohio, on Oct. 18, 2021. Mirna operates the Be A Part Of It foundation, which serves to connect Type 1 and 2 diabetics with either the supplies, or insulin they need to stay alive. “People are probably closer to their diabetic family because those are the people that know what you’re going through.”

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna Malinar gathers supplies from her stockroom inside her home, which almost entirely donated medical supplies, to assemble emergency backpacks for Type 1 diabetic children that The Be A Part Of It foundation donates to families and children in need, in Sandusky, Ohio, on Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

Mirna speaks with her son Justin on the phone about a concerningly high blood sugar spike he experienced of over 400 mg/dL, in Sandusky, Ohio, on Oct 18, 2021. Justin is on a pump system which delivers his insulin. His blood sugar levels went down to normal levels, but a blood sugar level of 300 mg/dL or higher can result in diabetic ketoacidosis which, if untreated, can be fatal.

Mirna Malinar, owner of Be A Part Of It foundation stands inside her home looking out onto her backyard, in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. Be A Part Of It is a 501(c)3 that is dedicated to helping connect members of the diabetic community with insulin and supplies that they need to stay alive. Malinar attributes starting this foundation to her son’s diagnosis with type one diabetes.

Mirna and Justin Malinar in Sandusky , Ohio, on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021.

Matt and Andrew Nord in Lorain , Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Matt Nord doses a bolus of insulin through his pump after checking his blood sugar before lunch with his identical twin brother, Andrew, in Lorain , Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. The twins, both Type 1 diabetics, are also diagnosed with autism. Their mother, Lori Nord, who also was a Type 1, died in her sleep from diabetic complications when the twins were three years old.

“Their mother passed away in her sleep ... so I said they’re not going to pass on my watch if I can help it,” said Wendell Strunk, left while standing next to Lesley, his wife, for a portrait in their home in Lorain, Ohio, on Oct. 21, 2021. Aunt and uncle to Matthew and Andrew Nord, the Strunks raised the boys after both of the Nord's parents died when they were young. To help manage the boys’ diabetes, both of whom are Type 1, Wendell checked the boys’ blood sugar levels every two hours each night for six years until they were able to monitor it for themselves. “When we took them to the endocrinologist, the nurse said, ‘How long are you going to keep doing this?’ and I said, ‘As long as I have to.’”

Andrew Nord, center, laughs with his girlfriend Taylor McCray, left, while joking with Rachelle Tokar prior to their rehearsal of Aladdin with the group Sharon’s Signers, an inclusive sign language choir, in Lorain, Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Matt Nord, left, comforts David Zsigray, whose ex-girlfriend recently died, during a rehearsal with the inclusive signing group Sharon’s Signers at the Lorain Community College, in Elyria, Ohio. Matt was diagnosed as Type 1 the day after his own mother died from complications with her own Type 1 diabetes.

Matt and Andrew Nord in Lorain , Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Members of Sharon’s Signers mingle with each other in a corridor at the Lorain County Community College after their rehearsal Aladdin, in Lorain, Ohio, on Oct. 21, 2021.

Matt and Andrew Nord in Lorain , Ohio, on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

Humalog insulin pens are seen inside of Candice Hayes-Mcinnis’ refrigerator next to pickles, Pedialyte, and fruit cups, in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 23, 2021. Type 1 diabetics respond differently to foods when their blood sugar is low, and many keep specific foods on hand that they respond well to for when their blood sugar drops low.

Humalog, a fast acting insulin, is seen next to a container of Country Crock inside of Candice Hayes-Mcinnis’ refrigerator in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Hayes-Mcinnis will be uninsured in the near future. Her insulin costs between $200-400 a vial depending on whether the insulin is long acting or short. She is concerned about the next few months.

Candice HayesMccinnis in Cincinnati , Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Candice Hayes-Mcinnis doses a bolus of insulin from a pen prior to eating lunch inside her home in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 23, 2021. Hayes-Mcinnis has a stomach complication that occurs monthly that makes it difficult for her to keep food and liquids down. “That year [that I first moved into my house] I was in the emergency room probably a total of four times. Two of those times were in the same week,” she said. “If you’re not able to eat and keep anything down, you’re not able to take the insulin. And if you’re not able to process the insulin your organs will start to shut down.” The cost for these four visits Hayes-Mcinnis is responsible for she estimates to be about $11,000, while she estimates the total amount of her medical bills resulting from hospitals visits from the past few years due to being a Type 1 at around $20,000.

Candice HayesMccinnis in Cincinnati , Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Candice Hayes-Mccinnis, laughs with a friend while standing for a portrait outside her home in Cincinnati, Ohio. Candice is Type 1, a CPA, and the founder of Providom, which is a non-profit to help with financial literacy education. Candice was diagnosed Type 1 in college in 2014. “I found out because I feinted and hit the wall on the way down,” she said. “So that caused folks to call the ambulance and so they took my blood sugar ended up high. You don’t typically feint on a high blood sugar. Which is different. So it was really kind of just…I call it the grace of god, some people call it luck.”

Candice HayesMccinnis in Cincinnati , Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Victoria Sumner, second from right, laughs with Candice Hayes-Mcinnis while bowling in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 23, 2021. Even though bowling requires a low level of physical exertion, Hayes-Mcinnis experienced low blood sugar as a result of participating in this activity. Type 1 diabetics are recommended to always carry food with them in preparation for low blood sugar episodes.

Candice HayesMccinnis in Cincinnati , Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Candice hugs Victoria before parting ways after bowling, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Candice HayesMccinnis in Cincinnati , Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Dakota Sheets, a Type 1 diabetic works the overnight shift at the Richland Ave Speedway, in Athens, Ohio, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Dakota Sheets, a Type 1 diabetic works the overnight shift at the Richland Ave Speedway, in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, March 28, 2022. Matt, this comment is for you since I realize this picture doesn’t have a filled in caption. His mom, also a Type 1 diabetic, used to give him her insulin and supplies while he was low. She died from complications of being Type 1 and Dakota didn’t realize what she was doing until she was dead.

So that’s this photograph.

Dakota Sheets, a Type 1 diabetic works the overnight shift at the Richland Ave Speedway, in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, March 28, 2022.