Home / Health / Stranger on Plane Diagnosed My Mystery Illness
Stranger on Plane Diagnosed My Mystery Illness
27 Jun
Summary
- A stranger on a plane suggested a test for Type 1 diabetes.
- The diagnosis occurred on Thanksgiving Day 11 years ago.
- Sharing the story opened conversations about Type 1 diabetes.
A chance encounter on a plane provided a life-changing diagnosis for Caitlin Neelley, now 22. For 11 years, Neelley experienced classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, including extreme fatigue, thirst, and weakness, but these were initially dismissed as overexertion. During a flight when she was 11, a fellow passenger, who had personal experience with the disease, engaged Neelley's mother in conversation.
Based on Neelley's symptoms, the stranger recommended she be tested for Type 1 diabetes. This suggestion prompted further concern upon arrival at her grandparents' house, where her weight loss was noted. A subsequent incident of bedwetting, another symptom of the condition, spurred her mother to seek medical attention.
On Thanksgiving Day, Neelley was rushed to urgent care and then the emergency room. Her blood sugar level was found to be around 500 mg/dL, confirming the Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Neelley now shares her story on TikTok to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing and acting on concerning health symptoms, and the impact one stranger's awareness had on her life.
