Diabetic Living Australia — July-August 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY

LARA MERRINGTON (MAIN IMAGE), EAMON GALLAGHER

Tell us about your childhood

I have two half-brothers from my

father’s side. They were 16 and

18 when I was born. When I was

10 we moved to Hobart, but my

half-brothers stayed in Adelaide.

Soon after, my dad moved to

Indonesia, which rattled me.

When did you find out you

had diabetes?

I was 13. About four months

earlier my mum had died from

cancer. She was 52 – the best

die young, hey? She’d been ill

for around 14 months. I was

very unwell but because Mum

was so unwell with cancer I was

kind of forgotten about. I had

probably had diabetes for a year,

but everyone just thought I was

sad about Mum.

What were your symptoms?

I was always tired. I remember

walking up stairs and having to

rest. It was such a hard time in

my life. I was also extremely

thirsty and craved sugar.

It must have been extra tough

without your mum around.

When my mum passed away, my

options involved moving from

Hobart. I was at an amazing

school and wanted one thing to

remain constant, so I stayed and

lived with my cousin and her

husband. They were great. Their

two kids call me their ‘sister’.

What was that like?

My cousin’s first child was just

a baby and her second was born

soon after, so I had to manage

my diabetes on my own. I always

booked the next appointment

after I’d finished the current

one. It was easy because the

clinic was near my school and

either my cousin, grandmother

or uncle would come with me.

What did you learn from that?

It’s shaped who I am today. I’m

very organised and responsible.

You’ll never find me stranded

without sugar!

Has diabetes ever stopped you?

No. I travel a lot, I have a great

social life, I exercise daily, work

full-time and make sure I remain

in control. It’s hard, but I find

when my diabetes is in check, so

many other things are a breeze.

When did you move to Victoria?

When I was 21, after a gap year

in Europe and three years in

Perth. Melbourne is the ‘design

mecca’ so it’s where I need to be.

Describe your typical week

I go to the gym four or five

mornings and have a banana

or orange juice beforehand.

Then I’ll have a smoothie,

porridge or eggs afterwards.

I have two jobs – I work in

a design and fashion store a

couple of days a week and also

work as a stylist, which involves

ironing and preparing for photo

shoots. I make sure I have a

snack, like fruit, mid-morning

and mid-afternoon, and eat

a healthy lunch. Some nights

I go to run club or a strength

class. I often have dinner with

friends or go to the theatre. I’m

out about three nights a week.

What are the main things you

do to manage your diabetes?

The first is exercise. It’s an

ongoing battle. I have a pump

and have to work hard to keep

my bloods okay, but it’s worth it

for the all-round better control.

The second is self-love. I know

it sounds corny, but it’s true. If

I didn’t have self-love, I wouldn’t

care enough to look after my

diabetes and that would be

a never-ending spiral.

How is your relationship

with your father now?

We’re close. We speak about five

times a week. I get along with

my half-brothers as well, and

have great relationships with

their wives and children. I also

have a good relationship with

Mum’s brother. My uncle and

dad are good mates, too! ■

Have diabetes and

want to share your story?

Email diabeticliving@

pacificmags.com.au or write

to Diabetic Living,

My Story, GPO Box 7805,

Sydney, NSW 2001.

Regular workouts

help Georgia stay

on top of her BGLs.

diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2017 113

MY STORY type 1