10/06/2026
💙 I don't get a day off from diabetes.
As it's Diabetes Awareness Week, I thought I'd share a little of my own story.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in my twenties.
Now, over 30 years later, I can honestly say that managing it is much easier than it used to be thanks to advances in technology. I have an insulin pump and a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) which work together in what's known as a closed-loop system.
I'm incredibly grateful for that technology.
But whilst it helps enormously, it doesn't take away the responsibility.
Every meal requires thought.
Every walk requires thought.
Every journey requires thought.
Every night's sleep requires thought.
There is no pause button.
One thing I'd love more people to understand is that Type 1 Diabetes is not the same as Type 2 Diabetes.
It isn't caused by eating too much sugar.
It isn't caused by poor lifestyle choices.
And unfortunately, it can't be reversed.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes means constantly balancing food, insulin, activity, stress, illness and countless other factors that can affect blood sugar levels.
Most of the time, that planning happens quietly in the background and becomes part of everyday life.
I'm not sharing this for sympathy. In many ways, diabetes has made me stronger, more resilient and a very good planner!
What it has taught me most, however, is that we rarely know what someone else is carrying.
The person who looks fine may be managing a health condition.
The colleague who seems distracted may be dealing with something difficult behind the scenes.
The friend who cancels plans may be exhausted from carrying more than you realise.
A little kindness, patience and understanding can go a long way.
Because everyone is fighting battles that we can't always see.
💙 If you live with Type 1 Diabetes, or support someone who does, I'd love to hear about how you manage it.....
