This week it’s Diabetes Week and to help raise awareness of the condition we’re joining in with Diabetes UK #DiabetesStories campaign and sharing real stories from colleagues living with the condition.
We caught up with Adam Scholey, Trade Marketing Specialist – Holland America Line:
I was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was just 8 years old. My father also has Type 1 diabetes, so in that respect I was fortunate that I had someone who knew what I was going through.
While initially scared, as I didn’t know what diabetes was and what impact it was going to have on my life, I now know that it only controls your life if you let it. There is very little that someone without diabetes can do that a person with diabetes can’t do.
I was still at school when I was diagnosed, so I had to try to explain to my friends what had happened that caused me to become diabetic. My school was very good with the situation which really helped too.
The biggest difference, being a sporty person, was that I had to be much more careful with what I was eating and drinking before and after playing sport. Playing sport has a big impact on sugar levels and this is something that someone with diabetes has to regulate themselves.
When I was first diagnosed I struggled with administering my own injections. However, as time went on I became more confident. I think it is important to raise awareness for diabetes as I believe many people are aware of it with little understanding of its impacts.
To find out more about diabetes, its causes and symptoms click here.