Part of me - Josh's journey from diagnosis to acceptance of type 1 diabetes
Josh, one of our patients at Birmingham Children's Hospital is sharing his story of living with type one diabetes this World Diabetes Day (14 November).
The seventeen-year-old was diagnosed with the condition while at primary school. He has bravely told us of his experiences from the impact of diagnosis to his journey of acceptance, whilst also offering advice to others who find themselves in such a position.
Type one diabetes is a lifelong condition which causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body cannot produce a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose. You need to take insulin every day to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
Josh, a budding mechanic, said: “At the moment I am living comfortably. There have been ups and downs, which every individual with diabetes has. It is a life-changing condition I have to live with.
“I was around seven when I was diagnosed after being rushed to the Emergency Department at the Children’s Hospital. It is not something you expect to happen and adapt to easily, you just have to. This was a difficult experience for me as a young child."
People with diabetes must take insulin every day, either through injections or an insulin pump. It's important to manage glucose levels carefully and take the right amount of insulin.
Holly Wood, a Diabetes Nurse at our Children’s, who works with Josh said: “Historically diabetes management was very basic in comparison to now, where technology is more advanced. We have Dexcom and libre sensors, including hybrid closed-loop pumps, which are life-changing.
“According to our patients and families, these advancements have massively improved the quality of life for those with diabetes.
“Parental anxiety has also reduced, especially with regards to overnight hypos (sugar levels dropping) as these new technologies have alerts and alarms.
“The first few months after diagnosis will obviously be quite difficult as it is a big change in routine but as time progresses, people become more confident and empowered in living with the condition.
“The way things are moving forward with diabetes, in terms of the advanced technology and the ever-evolving services, is a real positive. The future for patients looks really bright.”
Type 1 diabetes usually presents in childhood or adolescence but can also affect adults. It's not caused by diet or lifestyle, which is sadly, a common myth.
It's not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes. It's caused by a problem with your immune system (autoimmune condition) In the UK, it’s estimated around 4.4 million people live with the condition.
Josh said: “I would say it took me about a year to realise this diagnosis was lifelong. My dad has diabetes, and so does my sister therefore acceptance has been easier in my case.
“Adapting to the condition is probably one of the most challenging tasks I have ever had to do. The diet side wasn’t so difficult. In primary school, it was tough because none of my friends or peers had diabetes."
“I felt like I was the odd one out, then once I reached secondary school and started getting older, I realised it was not something to be ashamed of. I have met more and more people with the condition. Some of my best friends have diabetes. It's not something we can stop and change. This is us."
“I think it has made me stronger as a person mentally because it shows you can still get up every day and carry on. Nobody realises what you have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, only those living with the condition. Josh’s one piece of advice to anyone who has recently been diagnosed is don’t panic, you are not alone."
Meet our specialist team and find out more about our diabetes service.