Peer support helps change lives for the good. Back in 2018 I felt totally overwhelmed with having Type 1 diabetes, having lived with it since the age of 14. Diabetes burnout had me in a place I didn't feel good about.

All the effort to stay in range, prevent hypo/hypers, constant worries, sleepless nights, mornings where I didn't wake up, & the incessant daily decisions to try my best to keep well. It became so hard to manage it. Years & years of going to  clinical appointments with a diabetic diary, blood glucose readings, carbs taken etc etc, seeing consultants, the worrying, the silence in the waiting rooms, no mental health understanding or support, the pressure it can bring.......

This led me to the most valuable asset of our community, peer support & people who wanted to help each other along the journey called life.....

I attended an event in London earlier this year, there were 300 type 1 diabetics with over 2760 years of diabetes in that one room. Amazing.

My first experience of Diabetes peer support groups was in November 2018, I met with fellow T1Ds at a local gathering in Derby. Such an incredible evening. Some people had smart watches with realtime blood glucose data, from an app called xDrip to keep them informed about their blood glucose, lessening the load for them. I was told to look up online for Android APS closed looping to help the management of diabetes. I left the gathering with renewed hope. 

I had a list with a few items on to start the DIY set up. Having read a lot of online, to educate me on the ways this can offer better outcomes for us. 

The book Automated Insulin Delivery, by Dana M Lewis was also an incredible tool to empower me going forward. I went on holiday in May 2019, to the Isle of Skye, a wonderful place, returned after a week having read every page I could to build the Android APS closed looping APK.

I spent 3 days following instructions online to build the open source APK. The only way I could hold my hand on my heart & say I've done all I can to make me gain my life back. Diabetes can be a lonely illness, constant battling with food, insulin, blood tests etc etc. I rose to the challenge.

I have a beautiful daughter Indie Skye, now aged 8, who I adore, always have done & I owe it to her to be the best Dad I can be for her. Always. 

I'm currently running DIY closed looping via Android APS, it's made my life so much better. Since May 2019, the closed loop system has been working tirelessly to help keep me in range, lessening the load that can come with diabetes & generally giving me much more zest for life. 

We all deserve the best things in life.......

I was diagnosed as T1D in May 1984, aged 14 after being very unwell, the 4 Ts. Thirst, tired, thin & toilet visits. In DKA due to a blood sugar in the 30s, close to death in fact.

Horrible & frightening memories, those are the past, the future is for writing & on I went. Chapter by chapter, I'm in such a better place. The peer support is powerful, talking to others about diabetes, helping them, supporting them.

Diabetes events (Diabetes UK, JDRF & others) & a chance to meet others, share stories, good times, to hopefully continue into the future. I love talking to others & helping support them with their concerns no matter how large or small. Our community is stronger together I believe that.

A problem shared is a problem halved......ask, be inquisitive, don't be held back, tell & ask for help; the consultants should ask if you're alright & is anything bothering you, if so tell them you need extra help.

I live in Ripley, Derbyshire & my Diabetes specialist clinic is in Derby. They are amazing, I totally think if they give us the support to manage our type 1 we can get help from our own support network. Sheffield you are amazing & I love sharing time with you all. 

Early insulin pump use.

I was given the option of using an insulin pump back in 2011 by my Consultant, Dr Tan, who was concerned about my HbA1c being a bit high & regular hypoglycaemia. This was my main concern, particularly hypoglycaemia at work, and especially when I was on night shifts.

Before the pump, I was on both the fast acting Novorapid & long acting Lantus insulin and I was told that the frequent night hypos were due to the Lantus working like a medium to faster acting insulin; most people sleep at night but I was working shifts, including nights.

The Accu -Chek combo pump could deliver basal rates, which could be adjusted to suit my life; shifts, nights and family stuff.   

Being on an insulin pump allowed me to use just a fast acting insulin delivered via a cannula into my body. I had to do basal testing to ensure my blood glucose was stable and if my basal rates needed any adjustments. Currently I have different profiles that I switch between, depending on what work hours, activities & other life enhancing things I do.