The Talking Type 1 Podcast

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In this episode, I speak to Reba about living with type 1 diabetes and mental illness.

Reba is a mental illness blogger, public speaker and artist who has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 21 years and lives with mental illness condition 

In our chat, we have a real deep dive into what life is like for her living with type 1 diabetes and mental illness. We also talk about: 

- how she had to overcome a traumatic incident early into her diagnosis
- how she relearnt about diabetes thanks to diabetes Bob
- living with type 1 diabetes and mental illness and how they interact with each other
- the difference between mental health and mental illness
- her famous relative who has helped everyone with diabetes who needs insulin

Reba is really open through this chat which I really appreciate. 

Reba can be found on Instagram here and the Dead Pancreas Anxiety profile can be found here.

Useful links
Dead Pancreas Anxiety
Dead Pancreas Anxiety - Home (Facebook)
Canada Suicide Prevention Service | Crisis Services Canada
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen (UK)
CALM Homepage - Campaign Against Living Miserably | CALM, the campaign against living miserably, is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the biggest single killer of men aged 20-45 in the UK
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA)
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention. (Australia)

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 24 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

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In this episode, I speak to Priya about her life with type 1 diabetes and going through pregnancy. Priya has been living with type 1 diabetes for 19 years and has a three-year-old son. In our chat, Priya and I talk about her life with type 1 diabetes from her diagnosis story to how she navigates the workplace living with type 1 but the main focus of our chat is Priya's personal pregnancy journey.

Most women living with type 1 diabetes have healthy babies however managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy is harder due to changing requirements of insulin needs, the need for much tighter blood glucose control and an increase in doctors appointments. There are more factors that impact managing type 1 diabetes during pregnancy which is Priya discusses in our chat. We also discuss:

- how Priya's parents support at diagnosis was key in her understanding how serious type 1 diabetes
- the importance of planning your pregnancy and doing research
- being your own advocate 
- managing glucose levels during labour
- life after pregnancy and as a mum living with type 1 diabetes

I appreciate Priya sharing her journey with us. You can find Priya on Instagram: 𝓑 (@awfully.sweet)

Useful links:
Cheryl Alkon: Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition - https://geni.us/CherylAlkon
Lily Nicols: Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition - https://amzn.to/3vaQGxs
You can find Lily Nichols on Instagram here
JDRF - Pregnancy
Diabetes UK - Pregnancy and diabetes
JDRF UK - Type 1 diabetes and pregnancy

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 24 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

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In this episode, I speak to my good friends Sonja and Pete who are type 1 parents to Kat. 
Kat was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in November 2016 however her symptoms started in 2015. In my conversation with Sonja and Pete, we talk about aspects of life as a type 1 parent including: 

• Kat's diagnosis story
• life as type 1 diabetes parents and how doing their own research put them in good stead
• the difference diabetes technology had made in helping to manage Kat's type 1 diabetes
• the many challenges they have had to face as a family with the education system in Australia and much more

Sonja and Pete were open in sharing their own individual and shared perspectives of their type 1 diabetes journey. You can find Kat on social media here and Sonja here.

Useful links
DANII Foundation: Home
Diabetes Australia

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

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In this episode, I speak to Melany Gray about her recovery from Diabulimia.

****TRIGGER WARNING****
There will information about Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating.


Diabulimia is an eating disorder that affects people who manage their diabetes by taking insulin and is when someone reduces or stops taking their insulin to lose weight. However, whilst Diabulimia isn’t actually a medically recognised term it is a very serious medical condition. In my chat with Melany, who has been living with type 1 for 22 years talks openly about her recovery journey. As with any recovery, her journey was not linear and Melany has to overcome not being taken seriously by her diabetes team when she first asked for help. Melany also talks about: 

• her type 1 diabetes diagnosis story
• the difference between an Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating
• her Diabulimia journey from the early signs that something was wrong to finally receiving help and her recovery journey
• overcoming struggles whilst recovering from Diabulimia
• living with diabetes complications
• Melany's advice to someone living with Diabulimia or an Eating Disorder

I believe that it is important we share all aspects of life living with type 1 diabetes and I'm thankful to Melany for sharing her story.

You can find Melany on social media here.

Useful links:
Diabetics with Eating Disorders: DWED
Beat | The UK's Eating Disorder Charity
Diagnosis + Diabulimia: QiQi's Journey
Research Paper from McDonald. p, et al: Educational and Psychological Aspects Eating disorders in people with Type 1 diabetes: experiential perspectives of both clients and healthcare professionals

I'm delighted to have been nominated at the WEGO Health Awards.
The WEGO Health Awards celebrate patient leaders making a positive impact in the lives of patients and caregivers. I’m honored to say have been nominated for this year’s program in the following categories:

Best in Show: Instagram
Best in Show: Podcast
Patient Leader Hero

I’d be grateful if you could vote for me by clicking here to vote. Thank you 🙏🏾

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

Remember to hit subscribe

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In this episode I speak to Connor Herington. Connor was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 3. Connor is a well-known voice in the diabetes online community where he shares his life living with type 1 diabetes and uses his voice to help others with the realities of living with type 1 diabetes.

I also talk to Connor about Lipohypertrophy which is a medical word for a lump under the skin from a buildup of fat at the site of insulin injection or infusion. You can find more information here. 

In my conversation with Connor we talk about: 

• navigating school with type 1 diabetes
• overcoming his type 1 fears, in particular, changing his infusion set on his insulin pump
• how changing his perspective on type 1 diabetes has given him a sense of freedom

Connor has an insightful take on how he manages his type 1 diabetes and actually type 1 diabetes is his superpower.

You can find Connor on Instagram here, Twitter here and YouTube here.

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

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In this episode, I speak to Kalex, Kylene and Lauren. All three are black and living with type 1 diabetes. 

The backdrop to this episode is where we find ourselves in the world at the time of recording. This episode was recorded towards the end of June 2020. George Floyd’s death in May 2020 shocked the world and highlighted the problems back people face with systematic and institutional racism in all areas of society. This includes the education system to the workplace and in healthcare environments. 

Growing up I always wondered if my experiences as a black person living with type 1 diabetes was just limited to me but I never spoke to others in my position. I’m not 24 years into my type 1 journey and a member of the diabetes community which has allowed me to have this conversation. 

This episode isn’t just about me fulfilling a childhood dream this episode is so much more. This episode is four black people living with type 1 diabetes and sharing our experiences. There are both shared and unique experiences amongst the four of us. 

All my guests were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as adults which came with its own challenges which we discuss in our chat. We also talk about health discussions within the black culture and experiences within the health care system as a black person. Our conversation then leads to the diabetes community where we discuss diversity within the diabetes community and we talk about what it is like for us as black people in today’s society. 

I appreciate Kalex, Kylene and Lauren sharing their experiences. 

Where you can find my guests on social media: 

Kalex on Instagram here
Kylene on Instagram here and on Twitter here
Lauren on Instagram here

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

Remember to hit subscribe.

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In this episode I speak to Brandon Mouw. Brandon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 3 and after living with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years became a brittle diabetic. 

Brittle diabetes is a rare form of insulin-dependent diabetes and is marked by frequent and severe episodes of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia (DKA). This instability of blood sugar levels often leads to hospitalization and necessitates frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose, the use of an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM). In rare cases, a pancreas transplant may be necessary. (Taken from BeyondType1.org). 

Brandon was told that if he did not have a pancreas only transplant he has less than two years to live. Brandon is based in the USA and this specific transplant operation isn’t covered by insurance so he needed to raise $250,000 in three months for this life-saving operation. At this point he had already undergone multiple surgeries for relating to kidney stones and only has one kidney. 

Brandon and I talk about: 

• his life with type 1 and brittle diabetes including managing work
• his transplantation journey
• how his life is has changed after receiving his pancreas transplant 
• how he managed to raise the $250,000 which involved the kindness of strangers 
• how he’s using his experience to help others

Transplantation is a journey that few go on and this was the first time I’ve sat down and had a conversation with a fellow transplant recipient. Brandon’s journey shows that nothing is impossible. 

You can find Brandon on Instagram, Twitter and Website

Podcast Highlights:

2:30 - life living with type 1 diabetes and how he was diagnosed with brittle diabetes
17:00 - the transplant referral process and finding out he needed to raise $250,000 to have a transplant, How he raised $250,000 for his transplant in 3 months.
30:44 - we talk about transplant experiences and when Brandon received 'the call' and the lead up to the operation and beyond. 
40:16 - Brandon’s road to recovery including overcoming organ rejection and post-transplant challenges including mental and emotional aspects.
46:38 - Brandon's attitude and perspective towards his own health to get him to where he is today and how he is using his story/journey to inspire others

Useful Links

Affordable Care Act (ACA) - HealthCare.gov Glossary
What is Brittle Diabetes?

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

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In this week’s episode I speak to Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson aka The Diabetic Duo. Beth and Ellen are best friends and both live with type 1 diabetes. Beth was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2019 and Ellen when she was six years old.

The duo are lifelong friends and the friendship has grown stronger as they both living with the ups and downs that type 1 diabetes brings. In our chat, we speak about how Ellen living with type 1 diabetes for over 10 years helped Beth when she was diagnosed, how the best friends support each other and their advice to others living with type 1 diabetes.

The Diabetic Duo have become household names after their video showing the diabetes technology on the social media platform TikTok gained over 600,000 views. You can watch the video here. 

We also discuss: 

• Beth and Ellen’s diagnosis stories and how Beth’s diagnosis was shortly after her younger sisters type 1 diagnosis
• how being best friends who both have type 1 has helped their friendship
• Ellen overcoming her fear of not talking about her type 1 diabetes
• the awareness raising their videos on TikTok have created and how this has helped the diabetes community

Having a friend who understands what you are going through when living with type 1 diabetes is great but when that person is your best friends it makes it that tiny bit better. 

Useful links:

Diabetic Duo TikTok profile: Diabetic duo (@diabeticduo)
Diabetic Duo Instagram profile: Diabetic duo (@the_diabetic_duo)
Beth on Instagram: Beth McDaniel (@bethymcdaniel) • Instagram photos and videos
Ellen on Instagram: Ellen Watson (@456ellen)

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find me on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host
The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

Remember to hit subscribe.

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode I speak to Chris Bright who is a Wales international Futsal player and founder of The Diabetes Football Community. Chris has been living with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years. Throughout the years living with type 1 diabetes, Chris hasn’t always been vocal about his condition and it is something we talk about in our chat. 

We also spoke about: 

• being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 8 and going through the education system
• his football and futsal career and overcoming any impact living with type 1 diabetes has had
• his journey to representing his country in futsal at international level
• his why for creating The Diabetes Football Community and how the community has and continues to help others
• how important mindset is when managing type 1 diabetes

I learned a lot from this conversation with Chris and I’m sure you will too. Chris can be found on Instagram here and Twitter here. You can find information about The Diabetes Football Community here.

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

A bit about the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman (@t1d_dan) brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field. 

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018. 

Remember to hit subscribe.

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode I speak to Brandon. Brandon has been living with type 1 diabetes for 16 years. Brandon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly before leaving home to start university. At university he was on the American Football team which was also where he found his support network newly into his diagnosis. Brandon being on the football team would prove to be an inspiration to a young person living with type 1 diabetes which we talk about in the podcast. We also spoke about:

• being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before starting university
• how a letter from a young person with type 1 diabetes changed Brandon’s perspective
• the health system in the USA and how difficult it is to navigate living with type 1 diabetes
• how important the small wins with diabetes are in the big wins - 1% is better than 0%
• the impact culture can have when living with type 1 diabetes or a chronic illness
  

I enjoyed the conversation with Brandon. Brandon can be found on Instagram here and his clothing brand Society 77 profile can be found here and the website here

We recorded in the middle of the coronavirus and we spoke about the new access to insulin programmes for USA residents. You can learn more about the programme from Lilly and Novo Nordisk from the links below:

New $35 Co-Pay Now Available Through Lilly Insulin Value Program in Response to COVID-19 Crisis in US
Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Lilly Introduces $35 Co-Pay for Insulin

Novo Offers Free 90-Day Insulin Supply to People Recently Uninsured Due to COVID-19

Thank you for listening.

If you would like to ask a question or be a guest on the show then you can email Daniel at [email protected]. I read all my messages and might include your question in a future episode. You can find Daniel on Instagram: Dan | Type 1 Diabetes Blogger (@t1d_dan) and Twitter: Dan (@t1d_dan)

About the show and host

The Talking Type 1 podcast by Daniel Newman (@t1d_dan) brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their journeys of the ups and downs of living with type 1 diabetes. You’ll hear from those who live with type 1 diabetes, provide care to those living with type 1, healthcare professionals and experts in their field.

The interviews will be an open and honest insight into life with type 1 diabetes that you can relate to and also provide the opportunity to learn more about the condition. Daniel will share his insights into his life living with type 1 diabetes. Daniel has lived with the condition along with for over 23 years. He also lives with diabetic retinopathy and received a kidney transplant in 2018.

Remember to hit subscribe.