Hello, my name is Gina Joy and I‘m from Zurich, Switzerland. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 17. I'm glad that today I can say that I've come to terms with this chronic condition and that I fully embrace it. In fact, it has become my biggest motivator to take care of myself. But it hasn’t always been like that. My first years with diabetes were very difficult. I struggled a lot with accepting my new life and responsibility. For years I was in diabetes burnout without even knowing it. I would forget or intentionally not inject insulin, avoid measuring my blood glucose, and miss doctor appointments. I wanted to change it, but I just couldn't.
My way out came in steps.
I changed my endocrinologist.
I got a CGM.
I realized that I don't have to hide my diabetes.
I went to a psychologist.
Thanks to my aunt I realized that I had to change my endocrinologist. My first doctor would measure my A1C, check my feet and my weight and send me back home. She never taught me anything about diabetes and never introduced me to different types of insulin or to the new technology. My new endocrinologist changed my insulin a few times until I had the ones that really fit me. She also helped me to get the freestyle libre and later the dexxom approved by my health insurance. Having a CGM changed my life so much. Not having to prick my fingers 5-10 times a day is such a relief. Another thing was the realization that my friends were actually really interested in my diabetes and that they didn't mind if I pricked my finger or injected insulin in front of them. I just assumed they wouldn't want to be part of my disease, but the exact opposite was the case. So now they have become my support system. Thanks to my endocrinologist I also got the chance to talk with a psychologist about the mental burden of having diabetes, which of course also helped a lot.
It was only this year that I discovered that there is a diabetes online community. I wanted to become a part of this unbelievably supportive community and created my Instagram account @joyabetic in april. Joy is my second name, which was chosen by my dad because he felt so much joy of having me. And I think the name fits me perfectly, because if I am one thing, then for sure joyful. Nowadays luckily also in relation to my diabetes. I went from diabetes burnout to becoming a joyful diabetic and for that I'm forever grateful.
