Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20, is leading a campaign to raise awareness about the challenges young people, especially athletes, face when living with diabetes. Willis, from Limerick, aims to address the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the condition.
After returning from a summer in the United States, Willis noticed her health deteriorating and was eventually hospitalized. At the time, she had never considered diabetes as a possibility, despite experiencing symptoms like excessive thirst. “The thought of being diabetic never crossed my mind before my diagnosis,” says Willis, now 31.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. In contrast, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough. Diabetes Ireland estimates that 300,000 people in Ireland live with diabetes, with 270,000 cases of type 2 and 30,000 of type 1.
The Struggles of Stigma
One of the biggest challenges Willis faced was dealing with the stigma that often surrounds diabetes. According to recent research by healthcare company Abbott, 80% of people with diabetes in Ireland feel that their condition carries stigma. Furthermore, 67% of those surveyed say diabetes is often misrepresented in the media.
To help address these issues, Abbott released a short film titled The Emotional Toll of Diabetes, which depicts the negative comments and assumptions people with diabetes often face.
Christina Hamilton, Education and Support Coordinator at Diabetes Ireland, highlights the emotional impact of these remarks. “Comments like ‘Are you sure you should eat that cake?’ or ‘I heard it’s preventable’ can be damaging,” she explains. “The language used by others significantly affects the emotional and mental well-being of people living with diabetes.”
Willis has personally dealt with such comments. “I’ve had to ask people not to make jokes about diabetes in front of me,” she shares. “It’s always uncomfortable, but it’s necessary.”
Speaking Up Against Misunderstandings
Hamilton encourages those with diabetes to speak out when confronted with misinformation. “It can be tough to address these comments, but I urge people to challenge misconceptions. Saying ‘that’s not true’ or ‘let me explain why that’s inaccurate’ can help change the conversation.”
Willis recalls a particularly upsetting experience during her diagnosis when a nurse told her it would be a long time before she could return to her sport. “Hearing that from a healthcare professional made me feel so isolated,” she says.
A New Guide to Combat Stigma
In response to the need for better public understanding, Diabetes Ireland has launched a new guide called Language Matters. Based on an Australian model, the guide aims to improve how people with diabetes are discussed in both public and healthcare settings. The guide encourages the use of respectful language, such as referring to people as “living with diabetes” rather than “diabetics.”
“We want to reduce the stigma and burden for people living with diabetes,” says Hamilton. “We are working with media outlets to ensure they talk about diabetes in a more informed and sensitive way.”
Overcoming the Odds
Despite the challenges, Willis has proven that diabetes does not define her. With the help of the Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system, for which she is an ambassador, she continues her rigorous training. In fact, just ten months after being told she might have to pause her athletic career, she won an Irish rowing championship.
Willis has also found support through social media, where she connects with others living with diabetes. “There are so many role models on Instagram showing that diabetes doesn’t have to hold you back,” she says. “It reminds me that if they can do it, so can anyone.”
For Willis, living with diabetes is just one part of who she is. “We are more than just our condition,” she concludes.
Related Topics
