Imagine sitting in a doctor’s office, desperately seeking answers, only to be told — yet again — that your struggles are your own fault. I’m sure many of you will resonate with this. That was my reality more times than I can count. A few years ago, I had lost the ability to walk, and my blood sugar levels were soaring above 20mmol/L. The GP dismissed me three times, insisting my diabetes was the problem. “If you managed it better,” he said, “you wouldn’t be so unwell.” But the truth was far more serious: I had meningitis, and my diabetes became the convenient scapegoat for being overlooked. Those moments stuck with me. They fuelled my determination to become a diabetes educator who truly understands — not just from books, but from living it every day.
My name is Rebecca, but that’s only for when I am in trouble. I prefer Bec. I’m the new diabetes educator at the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, and I’ve had type 1 since I was 2.5 years old.
I currently manage my diabetes using the Medtronic 780G insulin pump and Guardian 4 continuous glucose monitoring system. I have ridden HbA1c's as low as 5.5% and as high as 12.7%... and I’m still alive, well, and enjoying life - with diabetes as my passenger, not my leader.
Of course there are days when I hate living with diabetes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked “why me?”. And who doesn’t want to punch their partner in the throat for eating an entire block of chocolate with no consequences? I know I have! That being said, (and I know this is controversial), most days I love living with type 1. It’s given me so many amazing life experiences (not always good!) and, most importantly, the skills to help others living with it.
I’ve worked hard in my life to achieve many things (I promise this isn’t a brag and there is a point to this list).
I am a registered nurse
A credentialed diabetes educator
I have a counselling degree
I started studying midwifery but decided that wasn’t for me
I am currently studying to learn skills in play therapy
I have been married 12 years
I have 3 children aged 10 years, 8 years and 5 years
I have experienced and overcome mental health problems
I bake cakes and sew, for fun
And I have done all this living with type 1 diabetes since I was 2.5 years old. So, I am here as your living proof that life can be everything you want it to be and there is absolutely no reason to let type 1 hold you back!
Why I became a Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE)
In short, I became a CDE because I didn’t want all of the things I’ve learned to be wasted. Unless you have walked this journey, you can’t possibly understand how it feels and how damn hard it is. This isn’t to say other educators aren’t qualified, but I became a CDE because I GET IT! And that makes it much easier for me to offer support and encouragement. And most of my clients who know I have diabetes are very happy to get on board with my suggestions because they know I would not tell them to do anything I haven’t tried myself.
I studied to become a CDE in 2016 while I was pregnant with my second child. I studied mostly online and attended for my mid-year exam when my baby was 5 weeks old, so I don’t really remember it that well - thank goodness for all the years of lived experience!
Since then, I’ve used my skills in both a private GP clinic and a public hospital, and I’ve learned so much. My frustration with both these settings is that government funding and service budgets tend to be prioritised over client care. So, after some time off and some reflection on what I have to offer, I decided the public health service wasn’t for me and I can be a better educator and support working in collaboration with The Type 1 Family Centre.
I love working as a CDE and it has changed how I manage my own diabetes, but it has also helped me build some incredible relationships with clients who have changed the way I practice. I learn just as much from my clients as they do from me, and I think a collaborative relationship is much more beneficial to lifelong diabetes management.
Frustrations and what I want to do differently
The current healthcare system lack two things: access and continuity. Living with a chronic condition, we shouldn’t have to wait months for support. And when we do get appointments, it is with a different clinician every time, so we spend the whole consult just trying to make them understand our story, our journey and the specific issues with our diabetes. Type 1 is not textbook, and often in these spaces if we don’t match the textbook idea of managing, then we are left on our own or considered to be “non-compliant”. And I am so far from OK with this that I needed to find a way to help others living the same complicated, messy, all-consuming condition I have had for 32 years!
The SEE approach
I don’t care about the numbers (this isn’t flippant, I’ll explain). I’m not interested in what insulin you take or how many times a day you prick your finger. I want to know who you are! What motivates you? What inspires you? What makes you worried and anxious? My approach as a CDE is to S.E.E Diabetes – Support, Educate and Empower. Once I learn who you are, I am much better equipped to give you the support and education you need to feel empowered to take charge of your own life and your own diabetes journey. Once we dig deeper and find out what your fears, anxieties and barriers are to living your best life with type 1, the numbers naturally follow! And then, together, we’ll be celebrating an incredible change in time in range, or HbA1c or feelings of self-worth and accomplishment!
That is what I am here for. No judgement, no pressure. Just a friend to help you feel confident to walk this journey and live your best life. I've been there, I've done the highs and lows (figuratively and literally 😛) of living with type 1, so I get it! I'm just lucky enough to have a few extra skills to help you achieve your goals.
If you'd like to get to know me a bit better...
I recently joined Adam, Benjamin and Carly on the Life in Beta podcast. The episode is called "The Club That No One Wants to Join".
You can stream the episode below, or search "Life in Beta diabetes" in your favourite podcasting app.
If you'd like to make an appointment...
I'm based in Bendigo, Victoria, and I see all my clients via telehealth (phone or video). So no matter where you are in Australia, I've got you covered.
You can book an appointment online here, or call the Type 1 Family Centre: 08 9446 6446.
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