Living With Diabetes
Saturday 14th November 2020 is World Diabetes day, a globally recognised day of awareness for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For today’s post, we spoke to Tom Phillips, an MSci Forensic Sciences student from the University of Wolverhampton.
Hi! I’m Tom, diagnosed type 1 diabetic for around 9 years now, and what a rollercoaster it’s been. I was diagnosed at the age of 16, in my first year of college. In terms of type 1, this is a fairly late diagnoses, and health wise, I wasn’t in a good place. Rapid weight loss, constant fatigue, dry mouth, and the (sometimes embarrassing) constant need to urinate gave an indication that I needed to see a doctor.
Fast forward 9 years, I’m 25, healthy, and happy! I began to control my blood sugars with the help of an amazing little device called the FreeStyle Libre. This device is a small sensor that continues to monitor my sugar levers over an 8-hour period. This small, 50p sized device attached to my arm allows me to simply tap my phone on the surface, and I get an instant reading of my blood sugar. I can’t express how much of a (literal) life saver this is!
Living with diabetes is a constant struggle, and some days can feel like it’s all you know, and it can feel like it’s taking over. However, type 1 diabetes does not define you. Although type 1 diabetes may feel like it’s holding you back, and you may feel like you can’t do what your friends are doing, just remember you can. I went to university, partied like the rest of them, and had a fantastic experience whilst achieving my degree.
With support from friends, family and those around you, it’s important to know that there is always someone there for you, and the UK is on the forefront of cutting-edge research in curing, preventing, and caring for those living with this disease.
If you’re living with type 1, regular exercise such as going for a walk, regular blood sugar checks, and keeping up with your local diabetes specialist will help you to control your diabetes and be happier in life.
If you need to talk to someone about your diabetes, your stress, or your concerns, or simply need someone to talk to about it, you can call the Diabetes UK Helpline on 0345 123 2399 or email them on helpline@diabetes.org.uk. If you’re in Scottland call 0141 212 8710 or email helpline.scottland@diabetes.org.uk.
By Thomas Phillips