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A Barca-Leeds employee has written this blog post to mark National Inclusion Week 2022 and share their experiences of Type 1 Diabetes.
Asa type 1 Diabetic, I have received many comments over the years which, though often made through genuine curiosity and concern, have been misguided at best and hurtful at worst:
· “Junkie”– No I’m not
· “Are you allowed to eat that?” – Yes I am
· “Is it safe for you to do that?” – If I’m doing it then I’ve already done my own personal risk assessment and yes it is
· “Increased health risks” – true but not guaranteed
· “Caused by obesity” – not true in Type 1 Diabetes
Type1 Diabetes is an auto-immune condition, where the cells in the pancreas attack themselves, meaning that the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar from carbohydrates for energy or to store for future use. As a type 1 Diabetic, I need synthetic insulin made in a laboratory.
I was diagnosed age 2. As a child, my Diabetes was managed by my mum but there came the point when I developed my own independence. I began doing my own injections at age 4 and learned the complicated calculations of how many grams of carbohydrate there are in the food I’m eating, what my activity levels are before and after eating, and any illness and so on, to be able to give myself the correct dose of insulin. Too little insulin and my blood sugars run high, known as hyperglycaemia, where I may feel tired, thirsty, moody or need to go to the loo a lot. Too much insulin and my blood sugars run low, known ashypoglycaemia, and this is potentially life threatening.
What starts as sweating, feeling tired, dizzy, trembling/shaking, palpitations and turning pale can turn into seizures and unconsciousness. Unfortunately, the symptoms of hypoglycaemia can be confused with being drunk, which could delay someone helping. For me, there have been terrifying occasions when I have known what’s happening but been unable to treat myself. This is why I choose to let friends know what to look for and what to do. I’ve also shared this with colleagues who I work with at Barca-Leeds - particularly when we are out doing outreach. Some Diabetics choose to wear a piece of jewellery or carry an ID card stating their medical condition but my advice would be: if in doubt, encourage someone to drink a sugary drink and phone 999. If you know that someone is Diabetic, under no circumstances give them more insulin.
Massive technological advances (in a relatively short space of time of 40 years) have made management of Type 1 Diabetes much easier. Gone are the finger pricks for a drop of blood to put on a colour changing strip to measure glucose levels, instead I have a sensor which sits under my skin that I scan on a handheld device. Gone are the orange capped syringes and glass vials of insulin, instead I have an insulin pump attached to my body which is the size of the palm of my hand which I programme through a handheld device: my children think I’m a bionic woman which amuses me!
Having a life-long health condition (please never refer to it as a disease!) can be incredibly isolating. There have been moments of “Why me” and “This is frustrating” and “No-one understands”, and on those days I am kind to myself and explain to those around me that I’m feeling low. The day to day grind of calculating insulin doses; balancing food and activity; having blood tests; attending Dr’s appointments; attending Consultant’s appointments; having eye checks for glaucoma and retinopathy; having foot checks to prevent amputation from ulcers; being told that simply by having Diabetes increases the chance of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney problems and nerve damage can sometimes feel overwhelming.
I am very aware that, so far, I’ve painted a rather bleak picture of what being a Type 1 Diabetic has meant for me, so now it’s time to redress the balance! Living with a long-term health condition has made me resilient and adaptable and sensitive to the needs of others. I prefer to say that I have Diabetes rather than I am Diabetic, as I don’t want my health to be my defining characteristic. Having said that, I do acknowledge that Diabetes is a hidden disability and that it will forever be part and parcel of my life. So far, there is very little that having Diabetes has prevented me from doing: driving; having children; living in Egypt for 3 months; cycling through China following the route of the Great Wall; running the London Marathon – and all while eating and drinking whatever I want!
