TYPE 1 DIABETES FEATURES
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During the month of November, Diabetes Awareness Month, we spoke with some everyday people living with T1D to give you a little insight into living with this disease.
Introducing
REMY
(the photographer of our 'Make It Visible' collection)
How old were you when you were diagnosed?
I was diagnosed with T1D in 2015, just before my 18th birthday. I am now 27 years old. What do you do for work? I am a fashion photographer + stylist.
I was diagnosed with T1D in 2015, just before my 18th birthday. I am now 27 years old. What do you do for work? I am a fashion photographer + stylist.
What were your symptoms that brought you to find out your diagnosis?
I was in my first year out of high school when I first started recognising symptoms. I had lost a lot of weight, was constantly thirsty + extremely tired. I had googled my symptoms, but diabetes wasn't in my family or something I knew much about so I thought it might have just been exhaustion from work. I went to my GP on my work break because my symptoms were becoming more extreme and ended up in ICU for 3 days.
I was in my first year out of high school when I first started recognising symptoms. I had lost a lot of weight, was constantly thirsty + extremely tired. I had googled my symptoms, but diabetes wasn't in my family or something I knew much about so I thought it might have just been exhaustion from work. I went to my GP on my work break because my symptoms were becoming more extreme and ended up in ICU for 3 days.
How do you manage your diabetes?
I don't use a pump or CGM because I don't like having something constantly attached to my body, instead I check my BGL by pricking my finger (about 6 times a day) and inject myself with insulin before meals. I have found that regular exercise and also eating a low carb diet has helped me manage my sugar levels.
I don't use a pump or CGM because I don't like having something constantly attached to my body, instead I check my BGL by pricking my finger (about 6 times a day) and inject myself with insulin before meals. I have found that regular exercise and also eating a low carb diet has helped me manage my sugar levels.
How does T1D effect your day to day?
Gosh, diabetes literally affects every single second of my day. You have to be prepared and constantly in tune with how your body feels. If I mess up my medication or am not present with how I am feeling I can be at risk of hypoglycaemia (which is basically passing out and going into a coma). As soon as I wake up in the morning I have to check where my levels are at, my sugars vary depending on the time of month, what I have eaten the day before, if I am stressed or if I have consumed alcohol. I'm also always thinking/worried about whether I have measured my medication correctly/ I have to make sure I have emergency jelly beans close by, and that I have enough insulin for my work trips. Before I go for a run or surf, I'm thinking if my levels are high enough that I won't pass out. as I don't have my jellybeans close by on those activities. It sounds like a lot, but after having diabetes for 9 years, managing it is just habit, like brushing my teeth. It's so important to keep a positive mindset with diabetes, I always focus on how the disease forces me to be more mentally and physically aware of my health. I think making your health a number 1 priority should be the most important thing for everyone, not just for T1's.
Gosh, diabetes literally affects every single second of my day. You have to be prepared and constantly in tune with how your body feels. If I mess up my medication or am not present with how I am feeling I can be at risk of hypoglycaemia (which is basically passing out and going into a coma). As soon as I wake up in the morning I have to check where my levels are at, my sugars vary depending on the time of month, what I have eaten the day before, if I am stressed or if I have consumed alcohol. I'm also always thinking/worried about whether I have measured my medication correctly/ I have to make sure I have emergency jelly beans close by, and that I have enough insulin for my work trips. Before I go for a run or surf, I'm thinking if my levels are high enough that I won't pass out. as I don't have my jellybeans close by on those activities. It sounds like a lot, but after having diabetes for 9 years, managing it is just habit, like brushing my teeth. It's so important to keep a positive mindset with diabetes, I always focus on how the disease forces me to be more mentally and physically aware of my health. I think making your health a number 1 priority should be the most important thing for everyone, not just for T1's.
Introducing
EMMA + CHARLOTTE
What is your name?
Charlotte.
Charlotte.
When were you diagnosed with T1D ?
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
How old are you now?
I am 9 years old.
I am 9 years old.
When were you diagnosed with T1D ?
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
What is your favourite thing to do?
Dance! I dance 3 afternoons a week & on weekends when I have a competition. Dancing makes me forget about diabetes for a little while & I just love being with my friends.
Dance! I dance 3 afternoons a week & on weekends when I have a competition. Dancing makes me forget about diabetes for a little while & I just love being with my friends.
Emma, how has T1D changed you + your families life?
Diabetes. Affects. Everything. Not just your child with diabetes. The whole family dynamic changes. It’s taxing on the emotions of everyone. We are lucky to have a close family, and Charlotte has 3 sisters that love her unconditionally and rally around her when she is down. But it is relentless and nothing is simple anymore - don’t even get me started about grocery shopping! People tell me “I don’t know how you do it!” But when it’s your child, you don’t think. You just do. More than anything, I just wish I could take her place. But, the good news is that eventually you do stop crying (as much), you get a grasp on it and continue life as usual. And the greatest reward is seeing your child thrive, and it is so worth it.
Diabetes. Affects. Everything. Not just your child with diabetes. The whole family dynamic changes. It’s taxing on the emotions of everyone. We are lucky to have a close family, and Charlotte has 3 sisters that love her unconditionally and rally around her when she is down. But it is relentless and nothing is simple anymore - don’t even get me started about grocery shopping! People tell me “I don’t know how you do it!” But when it’s your child, you don’t think. You just do. More than anything, I just wish I could take her place. But, the good news is that eventually you do stop crying (as much), you get a grasp on it and continue life as usual. And the greatest reward is seeing your child thrive, and it is so worth it.
Introducing
ELLEN + KATALINA
What is your name?
Katalina.
Katalina.
When were you diagnosed with T1D ?
July 7th, 2019, at age 5.
July 7th, 2019, at age 5.
How old are you now?
I am 9 years old.
I am 9 years old.
When were you diagnosed with T1D ?
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
I was diagnosed on November 8th, 2022.
What is your favourite thing to do?
Swimming, walks along the beach, shopping and cooking.
Swimming, walks along the beach, shopping and cooking.
Ellen, how has T1D changed you + your families life?
I am overwhelmed daily with the feeling that I'm not going to live long enough to make sure my daughter gets the knowledge she needs to survive T1D. Scared daily, that my daughter will die earlier than what she should. That feeling I've let my daughter down, so basically I live every day with Katalina. Her T1D makes me sad and I am 2nd guessing myself about everything.
I am overwhelmed daily with the feeling that I'm not going to live long enough to make sure my daughter gets the knowledge she needs to survive T1D. Scared daily, that my daughter will die earlier than what she should. That feeling I've let my daughter down, so basically I live every day with Katalina. Her T1D makes me sad and I am 2nd guessing myself about everything.
