In this conversation, Shelley Murray shares her personal journey with type 1 diabetes, discussing her diagnosis, management evolution, and the challenges she faces daily. She emphasizes the importance of community support, peer connections, and advocacy for better access to diabetes technology. The discussion also highlights the role of social media in fostering connections and raising awareness about diabetes, as well as the need for better education regarding the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Shelley expresses her hopes for the future of diabetes care, focusing on accessibility and understanding.

In this episode, Leigh discusses the recent introduction of Diabetic Barbie and its significance for the diabetic community. She reflects on the mixed reactions from the public, highlighting the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding diabetes, particularly the divide between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Leigh emphasizes the importance of representation and unity among diabetics to combat stigma and promote awareness.

In this conversation, Kirsty French shares her journey with Type 1 diabetes, discussing her diagnosis at a young age, the emotional and mental challenges she has faced, and the importance of community support. She highlights the role of technology in managing diabetes and reflects on her advocacy work, emphasising the need for a positive outlook within the diabetes community. Kirsty also offers insights into daily life with diabetes, the misconceptions surrounding the condition, and the significance of building supportive relationships with others who understand the struggles of living with diabetes.

In this conversation, Lochlan and Lesley share their experiences with Type 1 Diabetes, discussing the challenges and triumphs of living with the condition. Lochlan, diagnosed at age four, reflects on how technology has improved his management of diabetes and the importance of community support. Lesley, as both a mother and charity manager, emphasises the need for awareness and advocacy in the diabetes community. They discuss the founding of Lachlan's Legacy, their efforts to raise awareness, and the importance of normalizing conversations around Type 1 Diabetes. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of living with diabetes, both for patients and their families, and offers advice for those newly diagnosed.

Welcome to the very first episode of Cannae Beat T1D, a Type 1 Diabetes podcast where we talk about real life with type 1, the good bits, the hard bits, and everything in between.

I’m Leigh, your host, a 24-year-old from Scotland who’s lived with type 1 since I was just 22 months old. In this first episode, I’m kicking things off with a proper introduction: who I am, what living with diabetes from such a young age has meant for me, and why I’ve decided now is the time to start this podcast.

Living with type 1 your whole life means never really knowing anything different, and while that’s shaped me in a lot of ways, it’s also meant carrying a huge invisible weight every single day. In this episode, I talk about what that’s looked like growing up, how diabetes has changed as I’ve become an adult, and how things like burnout, mental load, and even small wins show up when you’ve lived with a chronic condition for so long.

More than anything, this podcast is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, because the Scottish type 1 community deserves more spaces where we can hear from each other, laugh about the weird stuff no one else gets, and feel less alone when it gets overwhelming. After attending the TAD event in Liverpool recently, I left feeling so inspired and more sure than ever that these conversations matter.

This episode is just the beginning — a chance to get to know me and what you can expect from the episodes to come. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, have lived with T1D your whole life, or support someone who does, I’m so glad you’re here.

Thanks for listening, and remember… we’ve got type 1, but it cannae beat us. 💙

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📱 Let’s connect on Instagram: @cannaebeatt1 or @leight1d