My journey with Type 1 Diabetes.

Steve talks about how he feels about Type 1 Diabetes. He explains that if he was asked to change one thing about his life then it would not necessarily be his Diabetes. He also talks about how his perspective changed as he's progressed through life. His strategy is to take each day as it comes and plan to work towards his long term goals - which is to keep his blood sugars in range and avoid long term problems with Diabetes. He also talks about how there are days when he doest meet his blood sugar targets and hasn't figured out why - but that's part of life and should not take away from your long term path.

Steve talks about two main insights he's gained: Fear is not a great long term motivator - he explains that this main work short term but is not useful long term. Looking after yourself with Diabetes is a long term journey and is best dealt with on a day to day basis. Lastly he talks about interacting and talking to others who have been there before you to help you cope emotionally.

Daniel talks about his journey with Type 1 Diabetes. He developed Diabetes as a post graduate university student. He shares how his first symptoms weren't picked up but eventually become quite unwell and was then diagnosed this point. When he was diagnosed he was started on tablets but glucose control was not good. He describes some fear around being started on Insulin but the Insulin pens helped. Daniel was grateful to the amount of detail he was given to do with his Diabetes. Particularly, he engaged very strongly with detail over the long term benefits of good blood glucose control.

Chris talk candidly about his first experiences of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. His parents tell him that he has lost weight and was passing a lot of urine. He talks about starting insulin and having urine tests for sugar levels. His first blood sugar testing machine used to be the size of a brick! A key theme he talks about is balance - balance between diet and exercise. He tells about having a regular 'clockwork' lifestyle to be able to use insulin predictably. A major change for him was doing a DAFNE course which allowed him to vary his diet and vary his insulin dose accordingly. Chris describes the Expert Patient programme as a major step in acknowledging his learning over his life. Finally he talks about more flexibility being possible in this day and age.

Steve talks about how he felt and how he feels with his diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. He frankly talks about Diabetes being a fact of life and talks about how all the new technologies he has access to allows him to live the life he wants to lead.

Chris explains that for him, the key word is balance. This was the title of Diabetes UK's magazine! He talks about how it's all about balance between carbohydrates intake and insulin and exercise. He explains that you have to be regular with things with Diabetes. Chris talks about the DAFNE programme making things significantly better in terms of everyday life. Lastly he talks about eating and how he deals with food generally.