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TINA'S TYPE ONE

The Sweet Life of Diabetes

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ABOUT ME

My DiaStory.

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Diagnosed at the age of twelve, I remember worrying more about the fact that I was in hospital, over the fact that I had just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Thankfully with the support of my family and friends, alongside the wonderful doctors and nurses, my week there flew by, learning a lot of brand new information along the way. It was when I went back to school, that diabetes became a bit of a concern. 

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Like everyone else who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, stuff like puberty, exams, even simply going for a night out with friends started to cause stress. Till I found the Maltese Diabetes Association Children's Summer Camp and started meeting other children who, like myself, were struggling with the same issues. 

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I got involved with the local diabetes association ever since, volunteering in events and even aided in the organisation of an international exchange. In 2018, I was lucky enough to be nominated to go to Czech Republic for IDF Europe's Leadership Camp. It was the first time I travelled alone, and the first time I met people from different countries living with diabetes. Saying I've learnt a lot would be an understatement. 

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Now I want to share my sweet life of living with diabetes with you! With the hope that my life journey could help out with yours, whether you're a person living with type 1 diabetes or not. 

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Is she a robot?

  • Writer: tinas_typeone
    tinas_typeone
  • Oct 30, 2019
  • 2 min read

"Is she a robot?"

"What is that?"

"What happens if we remove it? Does she shut down?"


Yes, people actually say these things!


For those people living with diabetes these phrases might be pretty familiar if you're wearing a FreeStyle Libre or any other continuous glucose monitor. Especially if you're from a country who is less informed about Type 1 Diabetes. For those who don't know what a continuous glucose monitor is, it's that white circle stuck at the back of my hand that keeps my blood sugar in control.


This was the first time I probably wore the FreeStyle Libre openly, on a hot day, without trying to hide it. I usually try avoid wearing it during the summer time, especially when I'm in my home country. I always come up with some excuse for not wearing it, but quite frankly I just do not want to be stared at or get asked questions. Seeing that CGMs in Malta are only just now being introduced and given for free to children, not many people are aware of what it does. However, I've recently come to the realization that by not answering people's questions will only keep them in the oblivion. Surprisingly, I received way less bad looks than I expected.


So, for those who don't know, you're about to be hit with some facts about it:

  • That white circle is called a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and as the name implies it monitors my blood glucose level.

  • Unlike finger pricking, this is continuous monitoring and can give information such as one's blood glucose average, how many times a person living with diabetes has been low and the percentage of the time his/her blood sugar is high. This also shows a daily pattern.

  • It also shows which direction one's blood sugar is heading towards, that is, whether it is steady, going low or going high.

  • It has been clinically proven to reduce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels).


In short it's what saves most of us from getting out of line!


Well I hope you learned something new, and if you live with diabetes, don't be afraid of wearing it and flaunting it. I envisaged the situation of people staring worse in my head, but truth of the matter is most just don't really care. Your health is always a priority and hey, if you're like me and paying €50 each time for a new sensor, you should have the right to flaunt it with pride! For that money, I expect people to be bowing down at my feet every time I wear it and not giving me the confused looks I get! (Just kidding on the bowing down at my feet part obviously)


That's all for today!

Tina x

 
 
 

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