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Home > Knowledge & support > Resource hub > Even if it feels like the end of the world, you should never lose hope
“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was nine. I ended up in a coma – the doctors weren’t sure if I’d survive. I’m 25 now. I’m from Slovakia and moved to Aberdeen to go to university – I studied neuroscience and psychology. I’ve actually ended up working in the immunology department at the University of Manchester as a research technician.
I used to play tennis at a very high competitive level in Slovakia. I was ranked number 14 nationally. I would go and play tennis tournaments every weekend until I was 19, and then I played for the team at the University of Aberdeen as well. I also coached tennis back home in Slovakia as an assistant coach at my home club and later in Aberdeen, which I found very fulfilling.
I’ve always been someone who went to all my diabetes check-ups. I was scared of all the things that could happen with diabetes, and I wanted everything to be perfect. I’ve always been quite sensitive to stress, hormones and intense physical activity, so even when I did everything correctly, I still struggled with highs and lows, especially during tennis tournaments. It could be really frustrating at times.
In 2024, I decided to switch from insulin pens to the pump. For a long time I didn’t want one because of tennis and other sports. I was very active growing up and didn’t want diabetes to feel any more visible than it already was. But it was suggested to me because I’d had HbA1c levels about 8% (64mmol/mol) in the past, and after thinking about it and talking to friends and my doctors I decided to try it. It made managing my diabetes much easier, despite the fact I had a lot of hypos at first. My blood sugars improved and my HbA1c dropped.
In September that year I went for an eye scan and everything was fine, no retinopathy or anything. Then the following year in July I went for another eye scan, and when I got the results, it said I had stage three retinopathy, and macular oedema in both eyes.
I couldn’t believe it. How could I go from having nothing in September, to stage three in July? I didn’t think it was possible – nothing made sense. Even the doctors thought it couldn’t be right. But then I had another test, and it was true. The speed at which it was getting worse was crazy – they told me I had two weeks to save my eyesight. Moments after this news, I learned that my Granny, my favourite person in the world, had passed away.
I then had to undergo treatment immediately in Manchester, away from all my family and friends back home. Only after the diagnosis did I start to notice some symptoms like floaters and some blurred vision. The treatment was injections and laser. The initial phase was one injection a month for three months, and you had to have six weeks in between the laser sessions. I was terrified. I even threw up after the first injection – the idea of it was so scary. But at the same time, I knew I didn’t have a choice. It was this, or never see again.
A few months later, they did a complex overview and they were really happy with how it went. To hear that, after hearing ‘You have two weeks to save your sight’ was such a relief. They told me that with retinopathy, if you lose some exterior vision you might restore it later. My right eye always had good vision, but when I got retinopathy I noticed it had gotten worse. But after the treatment, it was better again.
My eyes also reacted well to the injections. They’ve now extended the time in between them. I’m not sure if I will always have stage three. I think it’s better not to look into it too much or to go Googling, and to just go to the appointments.
I can’t believe this happened to me, and I’m only 25. The doctors can’t say for sure why this happened. But when I switched to the pump, there was a drastic change in my blood sugar levels, and this may have been a factor, which feels so unfair. I want people to be aware that this can be a complication when switching from pens to pump. I would have been more cautious if I had known. But I still love my pump. It’s so much better than pens in my opinion.
I really hope my story can help people. I want people to know that even if it feels like the end of the world you should never lose hope. When I got my diagnosis I thought it was the end of my world but I made it through. I have always been a positive person, but now I appreciate the little things even more and take nothing for granted. Even just the fact I can see the rain.
Your life can change in just a few hours – but never lose hope. Thankfully, they told me I can still play tennis and stay active, just to avoid very intense exercises like heavy weightlifting. I still play whenever I get the chance now, and it helps me both physically and mentally.”
If you’re starting an insulin pump, or making changes that may lead to a rapid improvement in your glucose levels, it can be helpful to talk this through with your diabetes care team. You may want to ask whether the pace of change could have any implications for your eye health, including retinopathy, and what support or monitoring may be appropriate for you.
Renuka Dias, professor at the University of Birmingham and consultant at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, discusses the early type 1 diabetes (T1D) clinic that she has set up in her city.
Justine Steventon is navigating menopause while living with type 1 diabetes. Her hybrid closed loop (HCL) system and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are helping restore her energy, confidence, and sense of control.
Older adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are often left out of conversations about technology. Below, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Katie Hards explains why hybrid closed loop systems could be life-changing for people with complex care needs.
Retired accountant Andy Buckle has lived with type 1 diabetes for almost five decades. After a demanding career, he began to think about how he could contribute something meaningful.
Our research is improving the lives of people with type 1 and making strides towards a cure. We’ll keep pushing until we make type 1 diabetes a thing of the past.
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