Jess runs for kids living with type 1 diabetes
In April 2019, four years into her seven-year journey studying Medicine at Melbourne Uni, Jessica Jones started feeling extremely tired.
She put it down to her gruelling study schedule and the pressures of university.
When she also found herself constantly drinking water during her lectures and going to the toilet more frequently, she knew something wasn’t quite right.
After she was initially diagnosed with a UTI, further tests let to Jessica being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which, as it often does, came as a huge shock.
The learning curve
Jessica had briefly learned about diabetes during her studies, but even with this knowledge she was completely unprepared for the impact living with diabetes would have on her life and on her family.
“The thing that shocked me the most is the whole 24-7ness of the condition” Jessica says..
“It’s not like you can just take a pill in the morning and that’s it."
“Managing diabetes is a constant, never-ending process of needles, finger pricks, and counting carbohydrates every single day”.
Knowing how diabetes has affected her life at the age of 22, Jessica says she has empathy for families with children living with type 1 diabetes and can’t imagine how much more challenging it must be for kids and parents to adapt.
Diabetes won't stop me
Adjusting to life with diabetes has been challenging, however Jessica is determined that it will not hold her back from anything she wishes to achieve.
She signed up for the 5km event at the Melbourne Marathon Festival to raise awareness and vital funds for diabetes research to help others.
“The main reason I signed up for the run was for myself - to show I could do it,” she explains.
“There is more to managing diabetes than people realise. There are other considerations that people don’t think of, such as how to hide your insulin pump under a formal dress.”
“The reason I chose to share my story and raise money was for the kids and to make a better life for them.”
“If I can inspire someone else to participate in events like the marathon it’s a win/win situation. People will get fitter and healthier and raise money for research, access to better diabetes management and, hopefully, a future without type 1 diabetes.”
If you would like to fundraise for Diabetes Victoria, go to our Fundraise page or get in touch via email fundraising@diabetesvic.org.au
