Sophie's Story

I’m Sophie and I was diagnosed when I was 13 and it was a very traumatic and scary time especially as before my diagnosis my school would try to not send me home because they thought I was just exaggerating my symptoms and it felt like no one had taken me seriously. This is because my symptoms were just the odd cold, cough , feeling and being sick , drinking and going to the toilet lots but to be honest I’ve always done that so no one thought it was abnormal.One day when I was really ill I couldn’t even drink water without being sick my parents rang and ambulance and I was taken to resus (the ER) .It took until my sugars had gone ridiculously high (28.4) and I was in dka for my diabetes it became apparent had I left it much longer things could have been fatal . Since my diagnosis I’ve switched from injections to a pump which is helping a lot . It has been a struggle mentally especially as I loved to dance and go to the gym but would always hypo and this made me gain lots of weight and I hated the way I looked and became really self conscious because of it . This is still something I’m working on and taking it day by day to be able to do the things I love without constant hypos . However I’ve learnt diabetes isn’t the be all and end all and that you should never let it stop you from achieving things .  Since having diabetes I’m hopefully off to uni to study psychology later this year , I have been with my boyfriend 4 years and completed many goals including the race for life and the couch to 5k programme .I also performed at the Royal Albert hall and her majesty’s theater , I sang solo in front of a large audience and passed my driving test first time . Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated but with the support of friends and family I know I can achieve anything . Whilst having diabetes may be difficult sometimes and there are bumps in the road I’ve never let it stop me and showing of your robot parts is just an added bonus .

I created my Instagram account @sophiesbrokenpancreas to join the amazing community we have and make some diabuddies but also to raise  awareness and help other which is the most important part.

Sophie Folgheraiter