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Famous or Successful Type 1 Diabetes

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Gary S

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Type 1
Hello
I'm a type 1 diabetic, but I've had many people over the years tell me I could do more with my life. Despite me telling them that managing diabetes is my full time job and getting the usual blank face as a response that we can all relate to, I was wandering if anyone had a list of successful type 1's who grew up with the condition. The usual google search has been quite sparse,
Regards
Gary S
 
Really? How about Theresa May? Diagnosed after she was an MP, though. Halle Berry?

I agree, it’s difficult to find folk who grew up with the condition, but I think that shows that type 1 can arise at any age.
 
There is Gary Mabbut, who played for Spurs for years with Type 1 Diabetes. It’s a matter for you whether you regard that as an achievement....:D
 
Perhaps on a more modest scale, there are people on this forum who have had Type 1 since they were little, and achieved goals, held down responsible jobs, etc. @AJLang, for example, who has a PhD, or have a look at @Matt Cycle's thread on his cycling. Apologies to all the rest of you who I haven't mentioned.
 
The news reader for Sky one, Steven Dixon I think his name is.

An actor from baby daddy, an American sit com. He’s on the pump.

Nick Jonas. He’s a child star.

Bret Michaels. He’s a singer.

There’s a swimmer or runner or something I read about once.

On a more personal level, I have a long list of conditions including type one diabetes and I have mobility issues (Ehler Danlos Syndrome). I’ve just completed my masters in screenwriting, I’m writing a tv show for a producer who wants to read it, I’m a school governor, I own a company where I make maths resources and I’m a private tutor. However, I find I like the flexibility of working for myself, as when I am having a hard time, I’m more free to look after myself.

People on here will tell you, I haven’t had the best of times managing my sugars, so I do completely sympathise that it takes a lot to manage our sugars. But it is possible to also have a life.
 
Robin said:
Perhaps on a more modest scale, there are people on this forum who have had Type 1 since they were little, and achieved goals, held down responsible jobs, etc. @AJLang, for example, who has a PhD, or have a look at @Matt Cycle's thread on his cycling. Apologies to all the rest of you who I haven't mentioned.
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Thank you Robin for mentioning me. Yes diabetic since I was 2 from a working class background where I had to leave school after my 'O'-levels but went to university as a mature student. HND distinction in all subjects, first class honours degree, PhD with no amendments (few don't need amendments) and had a range of academic publications/academic papers. I've travelled to various countries including Israel and the Lebanon, and have met various people (usually when a bit tipsy 🙂 including Benny and Bjorn from Abba, the Swedish dad from the Mamma Mia film, Chris Evans, Hank Marvin, David Essex, Les Dennis, Michele Roux and Paul Hollywood. If anything diabetes has made me make the most of life 🙂
 
Well off the top of my head and in addition to the people others have already mentioned there's

Mari Wilson - singer
Danny McGrain - Celtic FC
Tom Norton - actor

No doubt plenty more that we don't know about because they feel no need to mention it. Growing up Gary Mabbut and Danny MCGrain were the main names mentioned to me. I have a friend diagnosed type 1 as a youngster who became a consultant endocrinologist, ran a busy A&E dept. and has travelled the world. I guess it depends how you qualify being famous and / or successful and how important that is. After all these people are still doing jobs, just in the public eye. Not necessarily any more challenging or important than any other "normal" job. As @Robin mentioned, there are many people on the forum who have achieved many things and continue to...and not let their condition get in their way. 🙂
 
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I looked at power point I was given by DUK which includ3d a slide at the start with what links all these people. The problem I had was that I had no idea who the famous people were!!! I had to get a prompt from some younger people.
 
+1 for Gary Mabbut!! (Went to my old school!)

That one out of X Factor? (Amelia Lily)

One of the sisters in Haim?

Various pro sportsmen in US

Dom Littlewood!

Roddy Riddle (ex pro cyclist and, since Dx, ultra-marathon runner)
 
Thank you so much for all the inspirational messages, and especially for the personal achievements.
Please keep them coming.
 
I've had a remarkably ordinary life and can't even ride a bike though I did learn to drive after just making excuses cos I couldn't be bothered - when a girl in the office who was thick as a plank passed her test and it rankled - though I'm not known for being competitive - it was purely for my own self-esteem, frankly.

Not unlike Hobie - I left school on a July Thursday at 16, started work on Monday - and did actually retire aged 58 (not 60) since I was ill, I could claim my occupational pensions and well! - we could afford for me to pack up work anyway. I don't actually regard that as an achievement particularly, just what one did, since I enjoyed my job, and that was using my brain and communication skills helping other people (though not in a 'caring' profession - just a 'people' business) (Anything you may need to know about arranging liability insurance for your multi-national company, and how this fits with your business and processes, in plain English - then I'm your woman ....... LOL)

However - the thing I think I'm actually proud of, was being a founder member of the UK's - second - Diabetes help forum when the first and only one's owner lost interest and said he was closing it. He wouldn't sell it or come to any other sort of arrangement either. It's still going - but this one is now going much more strongly - which to be truthful, with the financial backing of DUK and the fact the forum is still independent - one would hope it would, frankly. It took a while though .... LOL

(if you are trying to guess the name of 'my' forum - put any idea of dot co dot uk straight out of your head - or incur my wrath!)

Back on topic - nobody has mentioned H G Wells !
 
Northerner said:
Amelia Lily 🙂 Also, in a similar line of work, American Idol's wonderfully-named Crystal Bowersox 🙂
Click to expand...

That reminds me, there was that beauty pageant winner (no idea which one, sorry!) Sierra Anne Sandison who attracted much interest by wearing her insulin pump in the swimwear round.
 
Steve Redgrave is Type 1 I believe.
Also, James Norton the actor, currently in McMafia is also Type 1.
 
mikeyB said:
Really? How about Theresa May? Diagnosed after she was an MP, though. Halle Berry?

I agree, it’s difficult to find folk who grew up with the condition, but I think that shows that type 1 can arise at any age.
Click to expand...

As Halle Berry claims to have ‘weaned herself off insulin’, it sounds suspiciously like a misdiagnosis of type 1 Mike.
 
Agree, Amigo. We have a few Type 2s around who have done the same.
 
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