Diabetes advocate and YLD Africa Rep-elect

I was 13 when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I was lucky because I did not face any challenges with diabetes management nor experience diabetes-related discrimination or stigma at school.

All my friends knew about my condition, but they only learned to treat hypoglycaemia. I do not know what would have happened if I had not had supportive friends! Nonetheless, the surprising overall lack of diabetes awareness was enormous because people seemed, and still seem, uninterested in learning more about the condition.

Regarding my diabetes management, the school could have had a clinic with trained personnel. School administrators are responsible for executing parental and medical orders outlined in the student’s diabetes management plan. They must also facilitate school staff training to ensure staff can competently carry out the care plan.