{Interview} Dan Newman, Type 1 Diabetes Blogger + Podcast Host
The T1D Inspiring Interviews Series is back!
Well, hey - hasn’t it been a hot minute since I did an interview with someone marv from the type 1 community?
Fear not, we’re back with a bang!
Dan Newman developed type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. He went on to experience diabetes distress in his teenage years and then developed chronic kidney disease in 2013. He places emphasis on being open in discussing his complications in a bid to reduce stigma and shame that can engulf these challenges. I for one (& I know there are many others) am extremely grateful for his honesty.
I first came across Dan on Jen Grieves’ podcast Type 1 on 1 - a pod where she interviews people doing wonderful things in the type 1 space. Dan’s episode is here. His wisdom and perspective shines through and his calming voice is a total tonic for the soul - you’ll be pleased to know you can hear more of his wisdom (& soothing voice) on his own fantastic podcast, The Talking Type 1 Podcast. Give it a listen (after you’re done with this blog post, of course!)
Without further ado, on to the reason why you’re all here - the interview with Dan!
Hey Dan! Welcome. Please tell us your type 1 journey! What age were you when you were diagnosed / what symptoms did you have?
I was diagnosed when I was 10 years old during the summer holidays. I remember that I was drinking a lot but because it was hot outside my family didn’t think anything of it. My aunt took myself and my cousins to the cinema (movies) and I was unwell and that continued during the rest of the evening. My mum called the emergency doctor and he said you need to take him to accident and emergency (emergency room) now. What seemed like many hours the doctor told me that I had diabetes. I think I was in the hospital for a week or two but I can’t remember because it was so long ago!
What do you wish you'd known when you were newly diagnosed?
That there would be difficult times particularly the mental aspect that comes with living with type 1 diabetes. I think just seeing type 1 diabetes as a physical condition didn’t help me because it’s a physical, mental, and emotional condition all wrapped into one.
What is the worst thing about type 1 diabetes?
The, at times, unpredictable nature of type 1. The fact you can do the same activities, eat the same foods two days in a row and have two different results can be frustrating at times.
(Curveball) What is the best thing about type 1 diabetes?
The best thing for me is the skills and qualities it has taught me as a person. These qualities include me being more resilient, understanding of others and determined to succeed in whatever I do in life.
What are the main challenges of living with type 1?
The challenge is that it’s an unpaid full-time job which you didn’t ask for, with no annual leave and you are the only employee. Type 1 is always there in the background no matter how much you tell yourself it isn’t. One challenge for me was to overcome trying to be the perfect diabetic who was always in range no matter when I tested my levels. I would think as the numbers as either good or bad and not just what they are - which is numbers.
How do you deal with these challenges?
I learnt to realise that trying to always have perfect levels whilst living with type 1 diabetes just isn’t possible. I learnt that the data from my blood glucose monitor was giving me information on what I needed to do next and that I was attaching emotion to the numbers.
Where do you find support/how do you access support?
The diabetes online community, in particular Instagram. I enjoy speaking to other type 1s from all over the world and speaking about the ups and downs of living with type 1. It’s nice to speak to people who just ‘get it’.
Can you recommend any great podcasts or blogs (as well as your own)?
One of my favourites is Type 1 on 1 | Diabetes Stories by Jen Grives. Jen is a great host and interviewer and I had the pleasure of being interviewed for her podcast. There’s also Emily and Miriam at Pancreas Pals and Brandon and Matt at Bolus Maximus both great podcasts. Finally, I have a podcast called The Talking Type 1 Podcast.
Have you ever 'hidden' your type 1 diabetes?
Definitely. I found type 1 particularly during my teenage years, so I would not tell many people at school. I’d inject under the table in class or go to the toilets to do my injection just so that I could appear normal to everyone else. I’ve hidden it in the workplace so in some jobs I only told one or two people who I felt needed to know just in case but I never actively spoke about my type 1.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has affected your relationship with your body?
I think being diagnosed at 10 I went through many life stages with type 1 so it was always part of my body. It has had a positive impact because I’m more aware if something isn’t quite right for example my levels usually go out of sync a week or so before I come down with a cold.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has changed your approach to life and living?
It’s taken a long time to get here but I now aim to do my best every day when it comes to managing type 1 which I use in my everyday life. Type 1 has also shown me that I can get through the worst situations, it’s not easy or pleasant at times but there is an end and I also use this in my approach to life and living.
Type 1 diabetes is classified as a physical condition, but we all know there is an emotional burden too. Could you describe your experiences?
I’ve had diabetes distress and diabetes burnout particularly in my teenage years and early 20s. I never knew that there was a reason for how I was feeling at the time it was just how I felt. I had two changes in my life which put me on the right path to coming out of diabetes burnout and I’m thankful that they happened when they did. I also set myself small goals of testing my levels once a day and build on it. If I missed a test that day I wouldn’t be hard on myself and start again the next day and build-up momentum. A big challenge related to this is that I had to overcome (still occasionally do) is not attaching emotion to my blood sugar levels. I’ve learnt that the numbers aren’t judging me they are just giving me information on what I need to do next. I do think it’s important to celebrate when your hard work being a pancreas has paid off, for example, if you lower your HbA1c, you hit your target time in range.
When did you launch your podcast, The Talking Type 1 Podcast, and what was the reason behind that?
I launched my podcast in March 2020. My reason was to help others living with type 1 by interviewing different people about their lives with type 1 and sharing their experiences with others who live with type 1 diabetes. I like learning about people and believe that everyone’s story of living with type 1 is unique and can help another person.
I remember how I felt alone at different times when living with type 1 and I don’t want anyone else to experience that feeling. Overall, It has been a rewarding experience to speak to each guest.
Do you have a favourite episode, or one that you're particularly proud of?
Good question! An episode that I’m proud of is episode 10 called Black, Diabetic and Proud. I speak to other black people living with type 1 diabetes about their experiences living with type 1. We cover a number of topics including diabetes and health discussions within the black community, representation within the diabetes community and more. I like this episode because it was an opportunity to amplify the voices of other black people living with type 1. I have other episodes which I like; I’ve spoken to someone who had a pancreas only transplant, someone who has recovered from diabulimia, someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 47 years and a mum who wrote a letter to her son on his first diaversary which spoke about their experiences as a family during that first year. I’ve spoken to some great people.
BONUS quick-fire round:
Pump or pens?
Pump
Finger pricks or CGM?
Finger pricks
Juice box or jelly babies?
Both, but if pushed, juice box
Balmy summer nights or crisp wintry mornings?
Balmy summer nights
Diet Coke or Kombucha?
Diet Coke
Morning bird or night owl?
Night owl
Porridge or pancakes?
Porridge
Breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Dinner
The smell of insulin, love or hate?
Love