a chance encounter

[stephknits]

I had 90 year 2s over Tues and Weds this week at the museum and met a lovely little girl called Charlie who was a fellow type 1. We chatted about pumps and did simultaneous bs tests. I told my girls and husband all about her when I got home and how lovely it was to share our day together. The next day he teacher came back with the other half of the year group. She said Charlie had loved having me to talk to about it too - so whilst it was only a couple of minutes out of our day packed with drawing and collecting and being creative, it had a positive impact on both of us. I do love meeting fellow type 1s out in our big old world 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Terrific 🙂 I bet she really felt connected to you @stephknits 🙂

 

[Matt Cycle]

I know we're a rare breed but I don't think I've ever met a fellow T1 in the wild. (Forum meets, DAFNE courses and clinics don't count ).

 

[stephknits]

I know we're a rare breed but I don't think I've ever met a fellow T1 in the wild. (Forum meets, DAFNE courses and clinics don't count ).

I was wondering about other people's experiences. I met a girl at Camp Bestival last year who held a torch for me when she noticed I was testing in the dark. One of my volunteers at work's husband has type 1 and I have met him, but we've not talked about it - I chat to his wife about it though!
I had a work experience year 10 last year who was as well.

 

[Robin]

I found myself sitting next to a lady with Type 1 on the first cruise I went on after I'd got onto basal/bolus. We both took out our insulin pens at the start of the first meal and went 'snap!' She had also been diagnosed in her 50s! Not so much of a coincidence, I found out later that the ship had done it on purpose! ( They sent you a medical form that you had to declare conditions on). It's never happened again, because we've been on cruises with open seating since then.
I did meet a man on a later holiday, with Type 2 who self tested, who called across the table 'What was it then?' as he saw I'd just tested! ( Luckily it was a decent number), and the last holiday we went on, a lady saw me inject and said, 'Oh, my 8 yr old granddaughter has diabetes, I've had to learn all about it for when she comes to stay.'
Funnily enough, I've found its only fellow diabetics who ever notice that I'm testing or injecting.

 

[Nikki35]

I dont meet anyone else who is diabetic, although there is a lad in my sons class who is type 1 (I work at the school too!).
I had never really taken any notice of it before, but I do find myself trying to 'spot' others, just so I don't feel like the only 1 🙂

 

[Northerner]

I know we're a rare breed but I don't think I've ever met a fellow T1 in the wild. (Forum meets, DAFNE courses and clinics don't count ).

It was only when I got diagnosed that I discovered that a guy I had been working closely with for several years, who was the same age as me, had been diagnosed aged 35. He was the type who preferred not to let people know.

 

[Vince_UK]

I am constantly amazed I must be honest at how many people I meet here who are either diabetic (can I say that) or have close family who are diabetic.
It usually comes up when I have dinner or lunch with them and I tell them why I don't eat rice, dumplings, noodles or they want me to drink beer. Then I am surprised when they say they understand and then tell me their experiences and their total lack of knowledge about Carbs which usuallly fills the next 60 minutes conversation. Happened 3 or 4 weeks ago with a HK associate whose father is T1 and who paid for a kidney transplant in HK as a result of his condition.
Sometimes I feel I have achieved something, sometimes not.
I never hide my condition if I am in a situation where openess makes life easier.
I don't like being diabetic for sure but I certainly am not ashamed of it.
This is part of me like it or lump it and I certainly don't wallow in self pity regarding it, life is to short.

 

[SB2015]

Just finished a week of singing with Maddy Prior (a founder of Steel Eye Span for those that have forgotten and probably making no sense to the younger (under 60) members on here. At the first meal I spotted the test kit and pens of another person sat at the table.
When presented with a cream tea on the last day, we both laughed when one person managed to get three out of ten on the 10 things not to say to a person with T1 in just three minutes. Give him his due, he went away and looked up the rest and came back later to find me to apologise. I assured him that before my diagnosis I had absolutely no idea and may well have come out with the same gaffs. Also my husband has managed the full set over the last ten years, but that is counterbalanced by a massive amount of support and common sense at moments of crisis, so easily forgiven.

 

[Vince_UK]

Just finished a week of singing with Maddy Prior (a founder of Steel Eye Span for those that have forgotten and probably making no sense to the younger (under 60) members on here. At the first meal I spotted the test kit and pens of another person sat at the table.
When presented with a cream tea on the last day, we both laughed when one person managed to get three out of ten on the 10 things not to say to a person with T1 in just three minutes. Give him his due, he went away and looked up the rest and came back later to find me to apologise. I assured him that before my diagnosis I had absolutely no idea and may well have come out with the same gaffs. Also my husband has managed the full set over the last ten years, but that is counterbalanced by a massive amount of support and common sense at moments of crisis, so easily forgiven.

I remember them but then again I was born last century 😎

 

[SB2015]

I remember them but then again I was born last century 😎

Is that Steel Eye Span you remember, or the 10 things not to say to a person with T1?
I went to a concert of theirs in Newcastle. Brilliant.

 

[SB2015]

I had 90 year 2s over Tues and Weds this week at the museum and met a lovely little girl called Charlie who was a fellow type 1. We chatted about pumps and did simultaneous bs tests. I told my girls and husband all about her when I got home and how lovely it was to share our day together. The next day he teacher came back with the other half of the year group. She said Charlie had loved having me to talk to about it too - so whilst it was only a couple of minutes out of our day packed with drawing and collecting and being creative, it had a positive impact on both of us. I do love meeting fellow type 1s out in our big old world 🙂

Lucky Charlie,and you. I have found it wonderful meeting youngsters with T1 on school visits.
On one visit a student was a bit embarrassed that she always cried during her consultant appointments. I told her I did too and she was amazed. I explained that it was one time when I could have a good cry with someone who is a lot more likely to understand and that it was often prompted by the Diabetes being sort of in your face for that half hour and focusing on all things Diabetes.
I do manage now without the tears, but no one seemed to mind anyway and what better place for a good bulb. We are allowed to be annoyed with having to deal with all this. Then we ‘dust ourselves off and start all over again’ (a sing from the shows of you that are too young).

 

[Matt Cycle]

Just finished a week of singing with Maddy Prior (a founder of Steel Eye Span for those that have forgotten and probably making no sense to the younger (under 60) members on here. At the first meal I spotted the test kit and pens of another person sat at the table.
When presented with a cream tea on the last day, we both laughed when one person managed to get three out of ten on the 10 things not to say to a person with T1 in just three minutes. Give him his due, he went away and looked up the rest and came back later to find me to apologise. I assured him that before my diagnosis I had absolutely no idea and may well have come out with the same gaffs. Also my husband has managed the full set over the last ten years, but that is counterbalanced by a massive amount of support and common sense at moments of crisis, so easily forgiven.

I'm 'only' 50 but love Steeleye Span. Classic folk rock. As well as being a fantastic singer Maddy Prior is a real folk aficionado. I saw them play at Glastonbury in 1995 as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations which saw a lot of the past members including singer Gay Woods play again.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I've two T1 that I know of (not counting support groups), both of which I met after diagnoses. One of which has started on a pump after we'd met.

 

[HOBIE]

I know it unusual but there was 3x T1s in my class at school in the 60s. The school must have put us together but I often wounder how the other two are. 😉

 

[trophywench]

I've always loved Maddy Prior's voice whatever she sings, it's distinctive and (this sounds potty) very musical, unaccompanied. I didn't realise she was still performing and I'm quite envious of your talent, I can't even sing in tune now though the music plays perfectly in my head and I can still remember the words and phrasing, and how some of it appeared below the stave when presented with it in sheet form all those years ago.

 

[SB2015]

I'm 'only' 50 but love Steeleye Span. Classic folk rock. As well as being a fantastic singer Maddy Prior is a real folk aficionado. I saw them play at Glastonbury in 1995 as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations which saw a lot of the past members including singer Gay Woods play again.

Try looking for Maddy’s duaghter’s work, Rose Ellen Kirk.
She has an amazing voice and fantastic range, well as being an excellent teacher.

 

[HOBIE]

I know we're a rare breed but I don't think I've ever met a fellow T1 in the wild. (Forum meets, DAFNE courses and clinics don't count )./QUOTE]
There is a few about Matt. Lots of T2s but are there any Duk clubs near you ?

 

[Matt Cycle]

There's a local DUK group in Stoke (Newcastle under Lyme). I've not been but I've read the newsletters. (Shown on the DUK website under local groups). I probably should do more and give it a go, but to be honest, bring and buy sales with a load of pensioners doesn't really appeal.

 

[trophywench]

That's what I though at first about Kidderminster Matt - but Fred Holland started it when his 7yo daughter was diagnosed so though yes of course there were also T2s (they outnumber us so you'd be surprised if there weren't more) they were certainly enough T1s and T1 content to interest us.

Same with Nuneaton - though you'd instantly think the pensioner that runs it and several of the pensioners present would be T2 - we aren't, we're T1. It's impossible to dress like a dolly bird in a mini when you're 67 - even when you still have the legs - you just look ridiculous if you try!