Aiden Nel, a teenager living with Type 1 diabetes, tells us about the highs and lows with diabetes.

The highs and lows of diabetes is a well-known term for any household that houses a person living with diabetes.

How many times have you, as a person living with diabetes, heard, “Is your reading high or low?” from a member of your family or friends. Yes, we have all experienced this at some stage and will continue experiencing it.

Well, the term ‘highs and lows of diabetes’ is not only associated with the blood glucose readings. To me, the highs and lows of diabetes can also be associated with experiences of living with diabetes but have the opposite meaning.

The ‘highs’ of living with diabetes can include the attention and concern that you receive from family and friends. It is a good feeling when your family and friends check on you and show concern. However, a ‘low’ would be when this is overdone and you feel that your family and friends don’t trust you.

Another ‘high’ is that you can control what you eat as a meal. If you don’t like the food that is being served then you can always say that you should not be eating that particular food. (Sneaky I know!)

The ‘low’ is that there are food items that you really want to eat, but these are the food items that you should not eat.

Though, regardless of how we feel about the highs and lows of diabetes, it’s a very important part of living with diabetes. If we are experiencing a high or a low in our readings or experiences, this statement of highs or lows will not change or disappear from our lives. Therefore, embrace this statement and live your life to the fullest.

MEET OUR EXPERT

Aiden Nel lives in Port Elizabeth. He is 15 years old and has Type 1 diabetes.