Cece Jessy, 15 years

Hello! Who are you? And tell us a little bit more about your diabetes.

I’m a dancer, and I was diagnosed at the age of 6 with type 1 diabetes. I have my own Instagram account @t1d.cece and am a JDRF youth ambassador.

I grew up with type 1 diabetes since I was 6. It was easier to manage at first, but as I started getting older, it became difficult to manage emotionally.

Emotionally, it was pretty hard, and dealing with teachers at my school who were discriminative towards my diabetes made it even harder.

“It was easier to manage at first, but as I started getting older it became difficult to manage emotionally.”

Cece Jessy, England

Your treatment

How do you treat your diabetes, did a lot change over the past years and are you able to manage it well?

I receive support from my diabetes team at the hospital. Also, friends and family help me a lot with my diabetes.

I use an Omnipod insulin pump and a Dexcom CGM. I also use Novorapid insulin to help me absorb carbs slowly.

I don’t remember life before diabetes, as I was six years old when I was diagnosed. But I think it changed my whole outlook on life. It also made me more accepting and understanding.

However, it also had negative effects on my mental health, but I think I’m pretty good at managing my diabetes.

Can you recognize the symptoms of a low/high blood sugar? Do you test often and can you tell a bit more about your experiences with low blood sugar?

Yes, sometimes I can recognize them. Dizziness, feeling sick, confused, headaches, tiredness, and blurry vision.

I use the Dexcom, so I never actually need to prick my finger or test it. I just check my phone APP whenever I feel like it.

I treat my low blood sugar with Lucozade or Jelly Babies.

I fainted because of low blood sugar about twice in the past 4 years.

Food and diet

How does your diabetes affect your eating and do you find being on a diet restrictive?

For breakfast at 7 AM, I eat frozen berries; for lunch at 12:30, I eat one slice of toast; and for dinner at 6:45 PM, I eat whatever my mam makes. Chicken is my favorite food.

Sometimes, I skip meals. I take my regular insulin when I’m hungry and eat snacks between my meals. It depends on what’s in the house at that moment.

During the day, I drink 1 and a half bottles of water.

I don’t find being on a diet restrictive. Diabetes doesn’t mean I’m on a diet that is type 2. But I like to stay fit and healthy, especially as a dancer and ice skater, so I do like to eat low calories.

I get annoyed when people ask me what I can or can’t eat because more people should be educated. I can eat anything I want with insulin. That’s the whole point of insulin. Right?

Do you believe that a plant based diet can improve diabetes? Did you ever experiment with this?

No, because I have type 1 diabetes. I can eat whatever I want with insulin. Diet or lifestyle is not something that causes or affects type 1.

Do you have a hard time eating out in a restaurant? And what are you thoughts on making this easier?

Not really.

“I can eat anything I want with insulin. That’s like the whole point of insulin.”

Cece Jessy, England

Exercise and work

Does your diabetes restrict you from exercise or your daily job?

No, it does not restrict me. I dance up to 3 hours a week, and I ice skate twice a month. I also do a Cardio Latin workout for 30 minutes every day.

I’m still in school, and also there, I have no restrictions because of my diabetes.

Final

Do you have any positive or negative effects because of your diabetes?

The negative effects are stereotypes, judgmental people, and discrimination.

But the best part is that I can skip the lines in Disney World.

My diabetes does not cause me any other problems.

What is the best advice that you can give to non-diabetics, new diagnosed diabetics and diabetics?

Yes, diabetes is a disability. No, I didn’t get it from being fat. It’s an autoimmune system disease. Yes, I can eat whatever I want. Yes, we face discrimination. Yes, sometimes it’s hard. Please stop comparing me to your cat, who has diabetes. And also, start educating yourself on diabetes. Stop making jokes about diabetes.

It gets better. It becomes your new normal. One day, you’ll wake up, and it won’t be as scary anymore.

Keep going. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t ever feel alone.

What would you ask the other diabetics?

What’s the worst stereotype about diabetes?

Share your thoughts in the comments. I cannot wait to hear from you!

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