SALLY's Story: “Telling people I had diabetes felt a lot like coming out."

When SALLY was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of ten it was all a bit of a shock.

“It was a Sunday, I was watching a football match with my dad, and I was just really, thirsty. Way more than usual.

“When I got home, my mum picked up on the symptoms immediately, she took me to the GP, and I was diagnosed with type 1.”

SALLY’s mum, who worked in the NHS as a ward sister, helped them learn the basics but looking back, it was far from plain sailing. 

SALLY said: “My mum really supported me with getting to grips with diabetes when I was younger. She helped with testing blood sugar levels, treating hypos, managing my insulin and I got lots of support from my healthcare team. But as I got older, started college, and gained more independence I really began to struggle.”
 

SALLY says that often the support needed for young people living with type 1 isn’t available, and the jump from the support you receive as a child to managing diabetes as an adult can be overwhelming.

They said “I was coming to terms with a lifelong diagnosis and didn’t want to be living with diabetes- I just didn’t want to engage with it at all. It was difficult to be given so much responsibility.

“Looking back, I think I had found it hard to come to terms with having diabetes ever since I was diagnosed. I had amazing support from my mum and dad- my dad was also diagnosed with type 1 in his 50’s, but there was so much to take on board, it felt overwhelming. There were lots of similar feelings when I was 18 and told my family and friends, I was gay.

“Telling people I had diabetes, felt a lot like coming out. I just felt like I had this secret, that I was embarrassed to tell people about. I don’t think we talk enough about the stigma and embarrassment that you can experience when you’re living with diabetes.’

SALLY adds: “I just ignored diabetes for quite a long time, it’s difficult because I know now after experiencing some complications, the impact of not managing my diabetes but at the time, it was too much of a struggle. Help and support for young people coming to terms with type 1 is so important.”

Now 26, SALLY not only manages diabetes but a full-time job as an animator, and a career as a Drag artist, performing regularly across the UK and closer to home in the North East.

They added: “I’m in a much better place now, but it can still be difficult. Managing blood sugar levels, hypos and hypers on a demanding schedule isn’t always easy but I have a good support network around me.

“Some weeks can be hectic; I can be working 9-5 and performing several nights a week until 2 or 3 in the morning.  Friends and colleagues know I have type 1 and what to look out for if I need to treat a hypo or hyper. I’m grateful for that support system.”

They added: “I wish I’d had access to some more specialized support growing up, but I’ve come a long way on my diabetes journey. I’ve learned to accept who I am and my diabetes.” 

Diabetes UK’s youth programme offers peer support, information and guidance for young people aged 11-25, living with type 1 diabetes.