Type 1 on the Run

07/12/2025

Meet Síofra, from Cork,
diagnosed with diabetes at age 10 and works in the IT Industry.

*What was the most significant impact for you from attending diabetes support groups? *

Síofra Story:

The first few years of living with diabetes felt incredibly lonely. I didn’t know anyone else like me, and searching on social media only brought up jokes and misinformation about sugar. Everything changed when I got involved in research projects like D1 now where I finally met other people with diabetes (PWD). It opened up a whole new world.

When I started college, I was determined to create a space where others like me could connect and with Orla, the Cork diabetes support group was born.

Today, we have a group chat of more than 75 people and meet regularly. I used to think that, nearly 15 years in, I had diabetes all figured out and didn’t need support. But I was wrong. Thanks to the kindness and honesty of the group, I’ve learned how valuable it is to lean on others. Whether it’s someone lending a spare CGM transmitter or just having a person who instantly “gets it,” that support means everything.

My first Thriveabetes was with the Cork group, and it genuinely felt like Christmas or my birthday. It’s the one time of year I’m surrounded entirely by people who understand life with diabetes. I often catch myself starting to explain basics like blood sugar checks, before remembering I don’t have to. That feeling of connection, of belonging to a community working to make each other’s lives better, means so much to me. I can’t wait for this year’s event.,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you would like to join the Cork Diabetes Support Group, contact them through:
- this link: https://thriveabetes.ie/diabetes-support-groups
- Or through the Diabetes Ireland Cork Office

26/11/2025

New FOI papers reveal that the HSE is using an unapproved rule to deny CGM access to adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

FOI documents confirm that CGM reimbursement is limited to those “treated with insulin from the outset.”

But this rule does not appear in HIQA’s 2023 evidence review, was never clinically reviewed, never put to consultation, and does not reflect the medical definition of Type 1 Diabetes.

As a result, adults who develop Type 1 later in life, including antibody-positive and insulin-dependent people — are being rejected for CGM based on an administrative rule, not science.

HIQA recommended CGM access regardless of age at onset or when insulin began.

The HSE is doing the opposite.

📣 CALL TO ACTION

Please ask your TDs to:

1️⃣ Ask the Minister for Health why the HSE added a rule that isn’t in the HIQA HTA (“treated with insulin from the outset”)

2️⃣ Request a review of the CGM reimbursement policy to bring it back in line with clinical evidence.

3️⃣ Pause all CGM rejections for adult-onset Type 1 Diabetes until the policy is corrected.

4️⃣ Raise this urgently with the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Diabetes.

25/11/2025

- Know the Symptoms

Every person with diabetes is going to have different symptoms for a low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia) and a high blood glucose level (hyperglycemia). The best way to get to know a person's symptoms is to chat with them, their parents or observe in school. They can be powerful tools to identify high or low blood glucose levels and know when to check glucose levels.

This picture from the KIDS Programme shows some of the common symptoms which you might see.

23/11/2025

- How to Manage a Mammoth

Diabetes and Wellbeing is at the centre of this diabetes awareness month. Living with diabetes can bring lots of positives such as new diabuddies, but it can also bring a lot of extra decisions to the person's day. 180 extra decision is the estimate. With no option for a day off, this weight can build.

A lovely story to explore this is 'How to manage a mammoth' by Rose Stewart. If you can manage to buy the book it's well worth it, but it's also available from CBeebies on YouTube being read by James Norton.

The book explores a child's friend, Mel the mammoth. Sometimes Mel doesn't behave and he grows bigger and bigger. Eventually, they learn ways to shrink the mammoth and manage the diabetes journey together.

Mental health and diabetes is a very important topic, and this book explores this are in a child friendly way.

21/11/2025

- Daisy Donald Book for Children by

If you are looking for a child friendly way to chat about diabetes, Daisy Donald has it all. This books explores Daisy journey to becoming friends with a monster who keeps asking her to do things. Feed me! Let's go! Daisy learns to become friends with the monster throughout the book. A great way to chat about diabetes in a child friendly way

19/11/2025

- IDF KIDS Wellbeing Guide

Next from the IDF KIDs program is the Wellbeing Guide. In keeping with the theme of this year's Diabetes Day - Diabetes and Wellbeing.

Highlights:
• Exploring how diabetes can impact a students mental health and how to support them to navigate feelings and anxiety
• Consoderations around exercise
• Exploring nutrition including food labels and carbohydrate counting.

This resource and more can be downloaded from the IDF KIDS website.

18/11/2025

17/11/2025

# DiabetesAwarenessMonth - IDF KIDS Comic Book

As part of the IDF KIDS resources, they have included a comic book about Tom and his diabetes journey. It's starts from diagnosis and explores his everyday activities. From school to sports to home life, it explores the impact of diabetes across Tom's life. A great tool to be use in the classroom to educate about diabetes during this month, in conjunction with the other KIDS resources.

This resource and more can be downloaded from the IDF KIDS website.

15/11/2025

Take this short quiz review diabetes support in your workplace 💙

– Does your workplace offer enough support to people living with diabetes? Take our short quiz to find out! So far, only 17% of workplaces have scored a green rating, highlighting that much remains to be done to ensure understanding and supportive work environments for people with diabetes and those at risk.

🗨️Take the quiz: https://worlddiabetesday.org/diabetes-workplace-quiz/

15/11/2025

🇪🇺 What an incredible few days with YOURAH and International Diabetes Federation Europe in Brussels at the European Parliament 🇪🇺

Presenting on Diabetes in Schools for MEPs in the European Parliament is not an opportunity I could even have imagined to be possible. To see the MEPs actively engaging with people with diabetes to understand and work towards positive change was uplifting, to say the least. We can do this!

I presented on the "missing link" regarding Diabetes in schools - staff training, and how the absence of such training can impact the mental health and wellbeing of students. I then outlined the program and the positive impacts noted by school staff when they gave feedback after the course. Mainly, increased confidence in their daily decisions, increased ability to communicate with parents and with inclusion of students with diabetes in school activities.

It was also inspirational to see others share their personal experiences or expert opinion on diabetes and mental health, diabetes and school/workplace, and diabetes and sport.

Here's hoping that we see mentions of diabetes and education in the upcoming INI report on mental health and we'll being or integration onto the current EU youth strategy work plan.

14/11/2025

💙 Happy World Diabetes Day! 💙

I know that this day can bring mixed emotions for different people. It's ok to mark the day in whatever way you want to. Ignore it, celebrate it, chat with a friend, it's up to you.

For me, I have spent the day thinking about all of the amazing people that diabetes has brought into my life. I wouldn't change that for the world. Whether it's people with diabetes or type Fs, I have found so many supportive people who have helped me along my journey. Looking back at pictures of past peer support group meetings, activities, conferences or chats with a diabuddy, have given me such gratitude for all of these amazing people (I can't tag you all, but you know who you are 😉).

So whatever way you decide to celebrate today, I hope that you have a great day and can take some time to think about one positive thing diabetes has brought your way (because their are a lot of highs and lows).

14/11/2025

💙 World Diabetes Day 💙

Today we’re standing with everyone in our community affected by all types of diabetes and shining an extra light on Type 1, which is so often misunderstood and overlooked.

For those living with Type 1 diabetes, managing highs, lows and everything in between can be overwhelming, especially when you’re out and about. We want you to know that Quayside is a safe and supportive space for you.

✔️ Private First Aid Room available
✔️ Team members trained in first aid to assist
✔️ If you ever feel weak, low, or need a private moment to check glucose levels or take insulin, come straight to the Customer Service Desk.

We’ll bring you somewhere quiet and look after you with discretion and care.
Whether you’re managing Type 1, Type 2, gestational or supporting someone who is - you’re not alone here.

Let’s keep building awareness, compassion and understanding across the Sligo community. 💙

Diabetes Ireland