Mom Shares Emotional Video of 5 Year Old Asking About Life With Chronic Illness
A mother’s viral video has sparked an emotional conversation online after her 5-year-old daughter asked a heartbreaking question about living with a chronic illness.
A Scary Diagnosis
In December 2022, Maygen Steed noticed her young daughter, Paisley, wasn’t acting like herself. She appeared extremely tired, dehydrated and weak, symptoms Steed initially believed were caused by the flu.
Despite drinking fluids, Paisley became so lethargic that she could barely lift her head. Steed recalls holding her daughter in her arms as her husband rushed them to the nearest emergency room, fearing the worst.
At the hospital, doctors immediately realized the situation was critical. Paisley was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Dallas, where tests revealed her blood sugar was over 600 and her A1C level was 12.8%. She was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.
Doctors later told the family that if they had waited any longer, Paisley might not have survived. Steed says the memory still haunts her.
Learning to Live With Type 1 Diabetes
Since the diagnosis, the family has learned how to manage Paisley’s Type 1 diabetes, though the journey hasn’t been easy. Paisley relies on devices like a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump to manage her condition daily.
Recently, Steed shared a video filmed in the car that captured a deeply emotional moment. From the backseat, Paisley asked if she would still need her diabetes devices when she grows up and becomes a mom.
The clip quickly went viral, gaining hundreds of thousands of views. Steed said the question broke her heart. She explained that no child should have to worry about carrying a lifelong illness into adulthood. Still, she chose to answer honestly, telling her daughter yes.
Advocacy Through Social Media
Motivated by her daughter’s experience, Steed now uses social media to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes. She hopes sharing Paisley’s story will help other parents recognize early warning signs of DKA and avoid traumatic diagnoses.
In addition to diabetes, Paisley also deals with thyroid-related health issues. While one condition is in remission, she continues to face other complications that place additional strain on her small body.
Steed admits that caring for a high-needs child comes with anxiety and exhaustion. Every alarm from Paisley’s medical devices triggers fear, but she continues working toward staying positive and present for her daughter.
Celebrating Strength and Resilience
Despite the challenges, Steed focuses on celebrating milestones. Each year, the family marks Paisley’s “diaversary”, the anniversary of her diabetes diagnosis, as a reminder of her strength and resilience.
Paisley understands her condition well and often explains her devices to others. She enjoys makeup, playing with dolls and golfing, though large crowds can be overwhelming. While she’s had to step back from some activities, her mother says her personality shines through every day.
Steed says she can’t take her daughter’s place, but she can educate herself, advocate fiercely and do everything possible to lighten Paisley’s burden as she grows.
