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Two weeks before my 30^th birthday I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

I had been losing weight, felt very tired and could not seem to quench my thirst. I thought perhaps I had developed type 2 diabetes as it was during the COVID-19 lockdowns and I had been eating a lot of high carb food. But my blood test showed type 1 diabetes.

It has been a big learning curve. I have had to learn how to count carbs, know what is in the food I eat, and adjust my lifestyle to include giving upwards of four needles a day. 

Since July 2022 when the government began to subsidise the sensors, I have used a CGM to track my glucose. But I have never used a pump due to the price.

I know there is technology available that would be greatly beneficial to my daily life, but the cost of type 1 diabetes is high enough already without having to try and find money for devices. 

Not having affordable access to technology has placed a huge burden on my mental health as I am always thinking about how to manage my diabetes. This includes having to inject myself with insulin multiple times a day, even when out in public, and going to the restrooms to inject so I don’t offend anyone. 

If the government made access more affordable, I would feel so much more supported. It would help prevent long term effects of hyperglycaemia, which in turn would mean less trips to the hospital or my GP. It would also reduce the mental load and really help me avoid burnout and the need for psychological appointments.