Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tania M. Kemp-Covington.
Hi Dr. Tania, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am Dr. Tania M. Kemp-Covington, my story began when I was seven years old and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in July 1985. I grew up learning how to navigate the daily realities of living with a chronic illness while also learning that diabetes did not have to define who I was or what I could accomplish. My faith has always been an important part of that journey, and I believe God has continued to show me purpose in experiences I never would have chosen for myself.
As I got older, I began thinking about children growing up with diabetes and how easily they can feel different or believe that something is wrong with them. That inspired me to write my children’s book, There’s Nothing Wrong with Me. What started as a book eventually became the foundation for something I had never imagined: storytelling through animation.
I am now an independent animation filmmaker, writer, creative director, and executive producer. I created the character Zari, a seven-year-old girl living with Type 1 diabetes, and developed Zari’s Museum Adventure, an animated short that allows children to see diabetes through the lens of adventure, friendship, and simply being a child. I have since completed two animation projects and am developing my third.
When I look back, I can see how the pieces came together. My life with Type 1 diabetes gave me the experience, my faith gave me the foundation, and storytelling gave me a way to turn that experience into something that could encourage others. Today, I am using my voice and creativity to remind children that their diagnosis is only one part of their story—and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Living with Type 1 diabetes for more than 41 years has come with plenty of ups, downs, surprises, frustrations, and moments when I have simply had to keep going. Diabetes is a daily routine, but it is never exactly the same day twice. My body, blood sugars, emotions, technology, medications, and circumstances can all change, sometimes when I least expect it.
I often say jokingly, “The next time you meet a person with diabetes, thank them for creating the chemistry periodic table!” Because I promise you, with all the changes we experience throughout this journey, I am pretty certain I have touched just about every element on that table! (LOL)
But behind the humor are very real struggles. There have been difficult days, unexpected blood sugar changes, exhaustion, and times when managing diabetes felt like a full-time job on top of everything else life requires. There are also moments of fear and frustration because you can do everything you are supposed to do and still not get the result you expected.
Yet, the journey has taught me resilience. I have learned that a difficult day does not mean I have failed, and an unexpected high or low does not erase the progress I have made. I keep moving forward, leaning on my faith, learning from each experience, and reminding myself that diabetes is something I live with—it is not who I am.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Although I am an educator by profession, I consider myself an artist and creative at heart. I teach, train, write, create, and, most importantly, I love helping people. I also believe that some of the best learning happens when we are willing to learn from others.
What I specialize in is probably less about a particular medium and more about how I approach people and life. I try to treat people the way God treats me—with kindness, honesty, respect, consideration, love, and mercy. That keeps me grounded. No matter what is happening in the world or how someone else may choose to behave, I believe I still have a responsibility to show the people I encounter who God is through how I treat them.
I am probably best known for smiling at people—once they get past my “mean-looking” facial expression! Apparently, I have had that expression since high school, although I never realized it until people started mentioning it or asking me if I was okay. Once they get past that, though, there is usually a smile waiting for them.
I am most proud of the fact that God has kept me here for 41 years while living with a chronic illness. Living with diabetes has not always been easy. There have been overwhelming days, frustrating days, and plenty of tears—lots of them. But there has also been laughter, joy, creativity, and an opportunity to tell my story. I believe God has allowed me to continue this journey because there are still stories for me to tell and people who need to hear what He has done.
That belief has also found its way into my creative work. I write stories from the perspective of the child I once was. When I am creating, I am not simply remembering my childhood—I feel like I am stepping back into it. I can hear the sounds, remember the words people said, picture the clothing and hairstyles, and experience the emotions all over again. I become that child again. That is what makes storytelling so meaningful to me.
I am also incredibly proud that my creative work has received nine awards and recognition on IMDb. Honestly, that was never something I imagined when I started creating. It makes me laugh a little because I was simply telling stories that were important to me, and somehow those stories found their way into the world and were recognized.
What sets me apart is my ability to look at a difficult situation and tell myself, “It’s fixable.” I cannot change the time that has already passed, so I have learned to start from where I am, in this moment, (without being so hard on myself) and figure out what can be done next. That mindset has carried me through education, chronic illness, creative work, and life.
My faith is also central to what sets me apart. Leviticus 20:26 reminds me that I am called to be holy because God is holy. Because I am His child, I believe I am called to live by a different standard, not simply conforming to what the world says is acceptable. That does not mean I am perfect. Far from it. It means I am continually trying to become the person God has called me to be.
Ultimately, I create because I believe there is purpose in the story. You do not make it this far through childhood, adulthood, chronic illness, challenges, tears, laughter, and everything in between without having something to say. My goal is to tell those stories honestly, creatively, and sometimes humorously and to give God the glory for the stories to share.
I am thankful for another day to tell someone what He has done, they can see how having life obstacles does not mean we are at the “end” no it means you are just a different kind of normal, so get ready to tell your story. I think He trusts me with that story, and I am proud to keep telling it.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have learned that networking does not always have to feel like networking. For me, it is really about building genuine relationships with people, being curious about their experiences, and being willing to learn from them.
I think finding a mentor starts with paying attention to the people who are already doing something you admire. I look for people who demonstrate qualities I value—not just people who have impressive titles. I want to learn from people who are kind, honest, knowledgeable, willing to share, and genuinely interested in helping others grow.
What has worked best for me is simply talking to people. I ask questions, listen to their stories, share some of my own experiences, and stay connected. Sometimes a conversation that seems small at the time becomes a meaningful professional or personal relationship later. I also believe in giving as much as I receive. If I know something that can help someone else, I am happy to share it.
My approach to networking is also rooted in my belief that everyone has something to teach me. I do not have to be the most experienced person in the room to have something valuable to contribute, and I do not have to know everything to be willing to learn.
I would also encourage people not to approach mentorship by asking, “Will you be my mentor?” right away. Sometimes the best mentorship develops naturally over time. Start with a conversation. Ask someone about their journey. Learn from them. Follow up. Be respectful of their time. Let the relationship develop.
And perhaps most importantly, be yourself. People can tell when you are only networking because you want something. I have found that genuine relationships are much more meaningful—and much more likely to last.
For me, networking is ultimately about connection, not collecting contacts. You never know who God will place in your path, what you may learn from them, or what you may be able to contribute to their journey as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theresnothingwrongwithme.com
- Instagram: diabetesfounder101
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaniaKemp-Covington
