Hypoawareness

Attending an event at Stirling University two weeks ago I discovered that the ticket machines in the car parks had been converted to the RingGo system since my last visit. Not having their App on my phone I was perplexed as to how to pay. I approached two other people in the car park but they were equally baffled by the new system and also did not have the RingGo App on their phones.

On re-reading the instructions on the sign it seemed that the solution was to phone a given number and register my details. Having got through an automated voice asked for the make and model of the car which they repeated and I confirmed.

Next came the registration number but try as I might I was unable to get the automated system to recognise the number I read out.

After a number of attempts and concerned that I would be late for the event I was attending I eventually gave up accepting that I may be liable for a £60 fine (£30 if paid early).

At this point a car drew up and the driver explained that the system was seemingly not in operation that day.

Dear Editor

For many people living with diabetes, hypos are a part of life. But they can be scary and dangerous, and can lead to blurred vision, confusion, seizures and, in severe cases, unconsciousness and coma.

So, to mark Hypo Awareness Week (13-19 September 2021), Diabetes Scotland wants to shine a spotlight on what hypos are and how to treat them.

Hypos (short for hypoglycaemia) can affect people with type 1 diabetes, as well as many with type 2 diabetes who use insulin or certain other diabetes medications.

A hypo is when the