Written by people living with diabetes. Medically reviewed where it counts.
Living with diabetes can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially after diagnosis or during difficult periods related to diabetes complications. Hearing real stories from others who understand the daily challenges helps reduce that sense of loneliness. These personal journeys offer emotional support, practical insight, and reassurance that you’re not alone. By sharing experiences, setbacks, and wins, our community helps others feel seen, understood, and empowered.
Meet members of our community and read their stories below.
Start with these
I’m Kim, a 24-year-old living in London and working in marketing. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in April 2016, when I was 20 and at university. You can follow me on Instagram at @londondiabetic .
Living with diabetes for 4 years
I’m Tim, I’m 68 years old, retired, and I live in South Carolina. I’m a father and a grandfather, and I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes since 1970.
Living with diabetes for 56 years
I’m Antonio, I’m 29, and I live in Italy. I’ve been diabetic since 2014. I love sport, with road cycling as my first choice and then lifting weights. I love tattoos (they’re like a drug), and I work in IT. I definitely don’t hide my diabetes.
Living with diabetes for 6 years
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I’m Gabriel, I’m 32, and I live in Miami. I’m passionate about fitness and healthy eating, and I love reading and coffee. I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for eight years. I never hid my diabetes. Emotionally, it’s been hard at times, but it has made me a better human in every way.
Living with diabetes for 8 years
I’m Sophie, I’m 18, and I live in Wickford in Essex, England. I love to dance, sing and go to the gym, and I’ve recently started running. I love going to parties, shopping, the cinema and hanging out with my friends and family. I’m due to start university soon to study psychology.
Living with diabetes for 5 years
I’m 24 and live in Washington State. I’m a college student at Washington State University, and I work as a broista at Dutch Bros Coffee. I have two golden retrievers, and they are my absolute best friends. My favourite hobbies are working out and hanging out at coffee shops with my friends.
Living with diabetes for 10 years
Hi, I’m Kshitij. I live in Nagpur, India, and I work in the software industry for a leading multinational company. I’ve had Type 1 diabetes for 16 years now, and I recently celebrated my diaversary on 14 August. I was diagnosed just before my 11th birthday, and the story is a bit tricky.
Living with diabetes for 16 years
My name is João Pedro, I’m 25 years old, and I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with my parents and my two brothers. I teach mathematics, and I’m also a Type 1 diabetes influencer. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 10 years ago.
Living with diabetes for 10 years
I’m 44, I live in New Jersey, and I work nights as a server and bartender. I’m just trying to get through life, staying positive along the way. I was 11 when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Living with diabetes for 34 years
I’m 31, I live in East Tennessee, and I work as an autobody painter. Before that, I was a subcontractor. I’ve had Type 1 diabetes since I was 6, and outside of work I have a huge passion for building and working on computers.
Living with diabetes for 26 years
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 11 years old, in 1982, and I’m now 54. Diabetes is also how I met my husband. He was diagnosed in 1980 at the age of 10, and we met at a diabetic holiday learning camp in Northumberland in 1986. 1982 had been a tough year.
Living with diabetes for Was over 36 years
I’m 32 years old, and I’m a full-time caregiver for my dad. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 6, so I’ve been living with it for 26 years now. Growing up with diabetes, I managed it as well as any 6-year-old kid could. I never hid it from anyone.
Living with diabetes for 26 years
Everyone’s experience with diabetes is different. Explore stories based on the type of diabetes people are living with to find journeys that resonate most with you.
Personal stories from people navigating life with type 1 diabetes, from diagnosis to daily management, medication decisions, technology, and mental health.
Real experiences from individuals living with type 2 diabetes, sharing lifestyle changes, nutrition choices, physical activity routines, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
Stories from people who caught prediabetes early and are working to prevent progression through lifestyle, nutrition, and mindset shifts.
Your story could help someone feel less alone today.
If you’re living with diabetes and want to share your journey, challenges, or insights, we’d love to hear from you.
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