I used to inject insulin between six and 10 times a day. Now I have an insulin pump. This gives me much more freedom...
When Sara Crowley was just three years old doctors diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes. It is a lifelong condition which requires daily treatment, and unlike Type 2 diabetes is not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.
The 29-year-old, from Aberdare, said there are many misconceptions around the condition which cannot be prevented or cured.
“I was diagnosed in 1990, just after my third birthday,” she said.
“Luckily, my diagnosis was picked up early. My grandmother noticed my urine smelt strongly and advised mum to take me to the doctor.
“The diagnosis turned our world upside down and family life was never quite the same.”
Sara said because she was so young at the time of diagnosis, she doesn’t remember life without Type 1 diabetes.
“My school was incredibly supportive and I was never made to feel any different,” she added.
“I was included in everything and encouraged to take part in school trips, activities and sports.
“Having that support from such a young age was invaluable, and helped me realise that Type 1 diabetes is not a barrier to success or enjoying life.”
But she stressed that life with the condition is far from easy.
“It throws up hurdles every day, whether a blood glucose reading that’s out of range, or losing sight in my eye for 18 months due to retinopathy, a complication associated with diabetes.
“I have to take into account everything I put into my body, balance that with any exercise or activity I’m doing that day, check my glucose levels and take insulin accordingly.
“But there are so many things beyond my control like the weather, stress or changes in routine that can affect my blood glucose too.
“I used to inject insulin between six and 10 times a day. Now I have an insulin pump.
“This gives me much more freedom but I still need to keep a close eye on my glucose levels.
“I have one injection every three days, daily finger prick tests to check my levels and I wear a device on my arm that I can scan to check my levels throughout the day.
“What works for one person with diabetes may not work for another and what works for me one day might not work the next.
“It can be exhausting trying to keep on top of it all, but I believe there aren’t any hurdles I can’t overcome with the right support.”
When offering advice for new Type 1 patients, she added: “Nobody is going to expect you to get it right 100% of the time.
“Take time to work out what works for you and use that to help manage your diabetes.
“Having Type 1 can feel quite isolating, but if it’s getting you down, try and reach out to people.
“I share my experiences through Twitter (@Type1Hurdles) which has helped me connect with people living with Type 1 all over the world.
“Recently I travelled around the United States and Canada, and was able to meet up with several of the friends I’ve made through social media.
“Meeting others just like me who get what living with Type 1 means has changed my life and means I have friends to turn to when things get a bit much.
“I know the future will bring new challenges. But while it can be hard sometimes I don’t let my diabetes stop me from experiencing as much of life as possible.”
Around 345,000 people in the UK and 20,000 in Wales are living with Type 1 diabetes.
It is most commonly diagnosed in children aged nine to 14 years old, but can be diagnosed as a young child or as an adult.
When the carbohydrates we eat are broken down to glucose (or sugar), a hormone called insulin moves the glucose into our cells.
Our cells need this glucose to survive. People with Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin, so they need to inject it or receive it via a pump.
An estimated 1,400 children and young people in Wales currently have Type 1 diabetes and symptoms can develop very quickly.
One in five children are not diagnosed until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention.
Diabetes UK Cymru’s Know Type 1 campaign is raising awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes to help parents and healthcare professionals spot them, and diagnose quickly, before the child becomes seriously unwell. Look out for the four Ts:
Toilet – going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child, or heavier nappies in babies;
Thirsty – being really thirsty and unable to quench the thirst;
Tired – feeling more tired than usual;
Thinner – losing weight or looking thinner than usual.
Dai Williams, national director of Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “Sara is such a positive example of how, with an early diagnosis and the right support, Type 1 diabetes shouldn’t hold anyone back.
“Not everyone is as lucky as Sara. One in five children in Wales become seriously unwell before they are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
“Raising awareness of the symptoms through our Know Type 1 campaign will help more children be diagnosed quickly and access the treatment they need.
“We want everyone in Wales to know the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. Talk to your friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues about the four Ts – toilet, thirsty, tired, thinner - and encourage them go to their doctor immediately if they spot any of them.”
For more information about Know Type 1, visit www.diabetes. org.uk/In_Your_Area/Wales