Campaigns - 11 July 2021
Lived experience
Simon
Lives with type 2 diabetes
“I learned that many, many, of the people I ‘networked’ with in those days were living furtively with diabetes and its complications. Stigma had silenced them.”
Jacqui
Lives with type 1 diabetes
“But most of all, it’s the time you realise how much energy you’ve wasted worrying about what people say or think. Because mostly, they’re not thinking it at all, or are genuinely just trying to help.”
BJ
Lives with type 2 diabetes
“I still get the odd person who looks at me while eating a chocolate and says ‘should you really be eating that?’ but I now take the time to explain it. I’ve learned that persistence in your health plan and patience with those who care about you, will help change some of the misinformed views of diabetes.”
Gabrielle
Lives with type 1 diabetes
“I just wanted to ‘fit in’ and ‘feel normal’, however was aware that many people associate diabetes with obesity, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. I struggled with both my own individual judgement of myself, as well as stigma within the community.”
Shannon
Lives with type 1 diabetes
“It is easy to be consumed by numbers living with type 1 diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose levels all day, every day. Because diabetes is invisible, there is often a misconception that it is as simple as taking insulin and eating (or not eating) certain foods, but this is far from true.”
Jane
Lives with type 1 diabetes
“I see, feel and read the judgement everywhere. Sometimes I can deal with it and recognise that it is probably just me putting words and thoughts into other people’s minds but sometimes it can bring me completely undone.”
