Nicole lost her son due to governmental and corporate greed.

Nicole Hood, Texas

This is a short biography about Allen. His 20 years need a lifetime to tell and enjoy.

My name is Nicole Hood but this story isn’t about me, not really. It’s about my son, Allen Rivas.

Allen was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 7 years old. It was almost missed because no one is taught what to look for when it comes to DKA and diabetes. We were fortunate.

Allen stayed healthy-ish. He was a fragile/brittle diabetic. Being around someone with a cold usually meant an ICU visit. But his spirits were good and he just kept wishing for a cure. He was happy and loved to make me laugh and smile. He was, and still is, my heart and soul.

When Allen turned 18 he was denied healthcare at state and federal levels. State appointed doctors said he needed disability or he’d die, but he was denied. This was the beginning of the end. We were faced with having to pay for his insulin out of pocket.

Fast forward two years... Allen and I became homeless because I chose to buy his insulin instead of pay rent, but it wasn’t enough. Allen was rationing insulin and kept it from me. He was trying not to be a burden (he was NEVER a burden).

Two days before Mother’s Day 2018 I found Allen, started CPR and called 911. They worked on Allen for almost 3 hours but couldn’t save him. I lost him that day because of governmental and corporate greed. Because his life was deemed insignificant by the top 3% of our nation. I live with what if’s instead of having my son here.

I started fighting for affordable insulin for all diabetics in 2019, a year after losing Allen. I thought we were an isolated case but started seeing stories of others who died from insulin rationing or who were struggling to afford their insulin. Now I fight for all diabetics so they can afford their insulin, supplies and live.

This is a short biography about Allen. His 20 years need a lifetime to tell and enjoy.