Testimonial

How long have you been living with diabetes?

I have been living with type 1 diabetes for 40 years.

How were you diagnosed?

I was having severe low blood sugar as an infant with a very powerful pancreas that produced so much insulin that it didn't function properly. In order to save my life when I was living in Taiwan in 1983, the doctors had to remove most of my pancreas so I would not have low blood sugars anymore. My blood sugar went up to 200 within minutes after they took 95% of my pancreas out, and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly after.

Did your diagnosis come as a surprise to you?

Yes, and no, as I was old enough to understand and asked adult family members about how I got type 1 diabetes. I had been living with the diagnosis for more than 7 years. I wasn't surprised when I found out then that was why I had to do certain things that other children didn't.

How did your diagnosis affect your family or loved ones?

My mother had to be on board from day one, learning how to administer insulin, calculate carbs and test my blood sugar until I was able to do it on my own. Over 40 years, diabetes technology has changed drastically. My diagnosis has impacted my family and loved ones. They eat healthy, lead healthy life styles, hike, swim and do other sports activities on a weekly basis.

What are the most important things that have supported your diabetes care?

Friends and family and particularly my spouse.

What has living with diabetes taught you the most?

Having type 1 diabetes is a battle, but it is also a love. Having grown up with this diagnosis, I never knew what it is like to live without it. This brought out a side of myself that I would have never discovered without living with diabetes. Having type 1 diabetes has given me strength. I have appreciated every moment of life experience and incorporated type 1 diabetes as a part of my life and who I am.​

What has been your lowest point with diabetes?

Probably at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I was denied permission to work remotely because my former employer insisted that diabetes shouldn't be an excuse to work from home. I was also told not to check my blood glucose in public as the company policy was not to have phones out when there are customers. I ended up leaving the company.

Have you ever experienced issues accessing diabetes medicines, supplies and care?

Yes, when some of the insurance plans I had from employers changed the insulin brand they covered. This forced me to pay close to $800 for a vial of 10ml insulin because the brand I used was no longer covered.

What would you like to see change in diabetes over the next 100 years?

More affordable insulin and diabetes care costs.

What do you think needs to change to improve the lives of people living with diabetes in your country?

Food portion sizes are too big in my country and many people eat too much food high in fat and sugar. Healthcare for diabetes needs to be more affordable with less insurance red tape. Until last month, I could not afford the automated insulin delivery system that I use because my insurance plan did not cover it, even though it was recommended by my healthcare team. I had to use insulin injection options because they were more affordable.

What does the centenary of insulin mean to you?

This is a life saving drug, and without it I wouldn't have been able to live this long. Since this is such an "old drug," it really needs to be more affordable.