Real life insights from new podcast
Living with Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong journey that requires constant decision-making, resilience and support. In the first episode of my podcast, The Long View: Living with Type 1 Diabetes, I share my personal experience and practical insights into how I manage Type 1 diabetes in everyday life.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with diabetes, or searching for a diabetes podcast, this episode is designed to help you feel less alone.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes: My lifelong journey
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just five years old. Fifty years on, I can honestly say: it doesn’t get easier – but you do get more experienced.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes means constantly adapting. It’s not just about insulin and food, it’s about the mental load, the unpredictability and the moments of isolation that people don’t always see.
Through my podcast, I want to share the reality of Type 1 Diabetes, not just the medical facts, but what it actually feels like to live with it every day.
How I manage Type 1 Diabetes over the long term
One of the biggest issues every diabetic faces is how to manage Type 1 long term.
For me, it’s never been about perfection, but it’s about consistency and flexibility. Over the years, I’ve learned to:
- Plan ahead for meals, exercise and important events
- Monitor my blood glucose levels closely
- Adjust constantly based on what life throws at me
But it’s really important to remember that managing Type 1 Diabetes is a balancing act and no two days are ever the same.
Why support matters when living with Type 1 Diabetes
Living with Type 1 diabetes has shown me the importance of having a strong support system. My family, especially my husband and children, has played an essential role in helping me through difficult moments, including severe hypos and those times when you’re weary.
If you’re supporting someone with diabetes, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply understand what they’re going through. That understanding can make all the difference.
Diabetes technology: What’s changed for me
I’ve seen huge changes in Type 1 Diabetes management over the years.
I started with glass syringes and urine testing. Now, I use advanced tools like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and closed-loop systems – what I sometimes call my “bionic pancreas.”
These technologies have made managing diabetes easier in many ways, giving me real-time information about my blood sugar levels and more control. But they also come with new pressures. For me that’s been the expectation to stay “in range” more of the time which can be incredibly exhausting and upsetting.
The daily reality of living with Type 1 Diabetes
Living with Type 1 diabetes means constantly thinking ahead.
Every day, I’m making decisions about:
- What and when to eat
- How much insulin to take
- How exercise will affect my blood sugar
- How to manage social situations
- How stressed I am, what the weather is like, whether I have a fever….and so on
It’s a constant mental load and one that never really switches off. This is something I want to highlight in my diabetes podcast, because it’s often overlooked.
Key takeaways from my experience
After decades of living with Type 1 diabetes, here’s what I’ve learned:
- There is no finish line – it’s a lifelong condition
- Support from others is essential
- Technology can improve quality of life, but it’s not a cure
- You don’t have to manage diabetes perfectly to manage it well
Why I started this diabetes podcast
I created The Long View: Living with Type 1 Diabetes to share real experiences, not just information.
If you’re searching for:
- Living with Type 1 Diabetes advice
- How to manage Type 1 diabetes in real life
- A relatable diabetes podcast
This is exactly what I hope to offer.
You can listen to Episode 1 here on Spotify: Ep 1 : Ruth Collin – Mother, Podcaster, Type 1 Diabetic – The Long View – Living with Type 1 Diabetes | Podcast on Spotify
And here on Apple: Ep 1 : Ruth Collin – Mother, P…–The Long View – Living with Type 1 Diabetes – Apple Podcasts
Or click on Podcasts above.