One of the things I’ve learned through 50 years of diabetes is that much of living with Type 1 Diabetes happens in plain sight and often goes completely unnoticed.
For many of us, a large part of our lives is spent at work, at school or university, or travelling between the two. And yet, when we talk about working with Type 1 Diabetes, those everyday environments are rarely the focus.
In this episode, I spoke with Robyn Hawkins, a researcher at Anglia Ruskin University, who is exploring exactly that. Her work includes Type 1 Diabetes research, lived experience and inequality and is shining a light on what it really means to manage diabetes in places that aren’t always designed for it.
The invisible side of living with Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is often described as an invisible condition, and that invisibility came up again and again in our conversation.
From the outside, people may see someone attending lectures, working in an office, or catching a train – but what they don’t see is the constant stream of decisions happening in the background:
- checking blood glucose levels
- calculating carbohydrates
- adjusting insulin
- preparing for hypos
- managing stress, timing, and unpredictability
This constant mental load is a core part of managing Type 1 Diabetes, but unless you live with it you may not understand it.
In fact Robyn says she was surprised to discover in her research just how non‑stop this condition is – something even those working in research don’t fully appreciate until they hear it firsthand.
Working with Type 1 Diabetes: small barriers, big impact
Robyn’s research focuses on students and staff at university, but the findings go far beyond higher education.
She highlighted a number of everyday barriers that can make working with Type 1 diabetes more difficult:
- Disclosure and stigma: deciding whether to tell colleagues or supervisors and worrying about how it will be perceived
- Lack of awareness: people may acknowledge diabetes without understanding what it actually means
- Unpredictable schedules: meetings, teaching or travel disrupting eating and insulin routines
- Commuting challenges: managing hypos while travelling or needing to delay journeys
- Shared spaces: not having a private or clean place to inject insulin or manage devices
- Food and carbohydrate labelling: difficulty calculating insulin without clear information
None of these challenges exist in isolation. On their own, they may seem small. But together, they shape a person’s ability to manage their condition safely and confidently.
The role of workplace awareness
One of the clearest messages from this episode is that awareness matters.
Many of the people Robyn spoke to had positive experiences when they disclosed their diabetes; supportive colleagues, flexible managers and understanding teams. But even in those positive environments, there was often a lack of deeper understanding.
For example:
- colleagues may not recognise the seriousness of a hypo
- being “on your phone” may actually mean checking glucose levels
- eating during meetings may be a medical necessity, not a choice
This is where Type 1 Diabetes research like Robyn’s becomes so important. By gathering real experiences and sharing them, it helps build a clearer picture of what support actually looks like in practice.
Why people sometimes run blood sugars high
One of the more complex topics we discussed was the deliberate decision some people make to run their blood sugar levels slightly higher than recommended.
This might happen:
- before driving home
- during exams
- in high‑pressure work situations
- when breaks or access to food are limited
The reason is simple: avoiding hypoglycaemia.
But this comes with risks. Over time, consistently high blood glucose levels can increase the likelihood of complications, including damage to the eyes. This highlights the difficult balancing act many people face when managing Type 1 Diabetes in environments that aren’t fully supportive.
Community, connection and shared experience
Another theme that came through strongly is the importance of connection.
Several students described not knowing anyone else with Type 1 Diabetes, until they spotted someone wearing a sensor on their arm. That moment of recognition can be powerful. A reminder that you’re not alone.
Peer support networks, whether informal or structured, can make a huge difference. Sharing tips, practical advice, or simply understanding what someone else is going through can build resilience and confidence over time.
This sense of connection is also why many listeners describe The Long View as one of the best Type 1 Diabetes podcasts – not because it offers solutions, but because it shares real experiences that reflect life as it actually is.
What could change?
If there’s one takeaway from Robyn’s research, it’s that meaningful change doesn’t always require major intervention.
Sometimes, it’s about small, practical steps:
- clearer information about food and carbohydrates
- flexibility around breaks and working patterns
- awareness training for colleagues and managers
- safe, appropriate spaces to manage diabetes discreetly
- acknowledgement that Type 1 is an ongoing, invisible condition
These changes don’t just make life easier, they make it safer.
A final reflection
Living with Type 1 Diabetes means constantly adapting your body, your environment, your routines. But it shouldn’t mean doing it alone, or in environments that make it harder than it needs to be.
This episode is a reminder that while technology continues to evolve, awareness and understanding are just as important.
Because behind every meeting, lecture, commute or working day, there is someone making hundreds of unseen decisions just to stay well.
If you’d like to hear more real conversations about living with Type 1 Diabetes, you can explore other episodes of The Long View on the podcast page or wherever you listen.
You can listen to Robyn’s episode here on Spotify: Ep 10: Robyn Hawkins – Work, awareness and living with Type 1 Diabetes – The Long View – Living with Type 1 Diabetes | Podcast on Spotify
And here on Apple:
Or click on “podcasts” at the top of this page.
And if you have a story about working with Type 1 Diabetes, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me on thelongviewt1@gmail.com.