I started an Instagram account and website called Miss Diabetes to document my life with Type 1 diabetes in 2016, because my diabetes nurse told me there were a lot of young diabetics in the community that were feeling down about living with this chronic disease. And that made me really sad, because I had been there myself and I knew exactly how they would be feeling. I wanted to find ways to uplift them, and let them know that they weren’t alone in what they are experiencing. I realised that through illustration and comics I could explain the “invisible” life with diabetes, that most non-diabetics would not see. I could visually communicate the thoughts and feelings of living with diabetes in a way that was light-hearted, and poked fun at certain challenges in my life with diabetes, but ultimately showed the challenges I face when living with a chronic medical condition. I get a lot of messages from diabetics, that tell me that they feel like the comics are relatable, and make them feel less alone. I also do a few collaborations with Type 1 Diabetes Organisations, such as T1International, and The Beta Cell Foundation, who raise awareness of the insulin affordability crisis in the United States, as well as creating fun and collaborative community events for those living with Type 1 diabetes.
Loved it and learned a lot!!!!