Diabetes: Real Life Stories

This section of Diabetes.co.uk presents real stories from people with diabetes around the world. By understanding other people’s experiences, successes and failures, it is hoped that awareness about living with diabetes can be raised.

The most powerful tool in fighting diabetes is informatio, whether this comes from medical experts or real-life tales from those who live with the disease.

We interview a range of people with diabetes and present their real life stories. To feature your own story, please contact us

I cut down on carbs

Scot Lester

Read the story of the Diabetes Forum’s very own Biohazard.

• Read Scot’s story

I beat my own diabetes

Marcus Grip

Marcus’s story is a story of how he became free from diabetes.

• Read Marcus’s story

90 year old with type 1 diabetes

Bob Krause

Bob Krause has been a type 1 diabetic for 85 years – and is still going strong.

• Read Bob’s story

Type 1 after my holiday

Gillian Peace

Gillian Peace discovered she had diabetes when she came back from holiday in Thailand.

• Read Gillian’s story

My meter improved my diabetes

Mark Austin

Mark Austin 43 year old Contact Lens Optician who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 29 years.

• Read Mark’s story

Type 1 diabetes for over 60 years

Jill Wright

Jill was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 22 months of age – that’s 60 years with diabetes and counting.

• Read Jill’s story

Diabetic kitesurfer

Peter Shaw

Peter Shaw is a type 1 diabetic who is a keen kitesurfer who hasn’t let diabetes stand in his way.

• Read Peter’s story

Diabetes UK’s President + an OBE!

Richard Lane

Richard Lane was one of the first people in Britain to have pancreatic islet (stem) cells from three organ donors put into his body.

• Read Richard’s story

My trouble getting test strips

Dean Salisbury

Dean talks about his disbelief at receiving too few test strips and how you will never prise his pump off him.

• Read Dean’s story

Diabetes charity events co-ordinator

Lee Calladine

Lee Calladine was diagnosed whilst eating a Chinese takeaway. Now, Lee works for the DRWF organising their events.

• Read Lee’s story

My diabetes diary

Rebecca Weddell

Rebecca Weddell is one of the world’s leading bead makers. Diagnosed 24 years ago, Rebecca takes diabetes in her stride.

• Read Rebecca’s story

Diabetes Blogs

Keep checking back for more real-life diabetes views and opinions. If you post about diabetes online or run a diabetes blog or web page and would like your blog or story featured, please let us know.

• Read the official Diabetes Blog

Read the musings of people with diabetes, real life stories and loads more on the blog.