Circle D provides fun, socials and support with those aged 18-30 in the UK with Type 1 diabetes. Lucy and Catherine from The Pendsey Trust visited Circle D Kent group. Mike Pollard, a Circle D member who was there, provides his reflection on the visit:

 

Mike Pollard: At the age of 22, I had recently moved away from home, got my dream job after university and I thought life was set. What else could get in my way? I was living the dream, until one day, Monday July 7th 2008 to be precise, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. What was this? Why me? What had I done wrong? So many questions, no easy answers. Luckily for me, I was well looked after by a specialist nurse at the local doctors surgery in Essex. Over the next months I went on a crazy roller coaster of emotions, learning curves and numerous mixed messages. What to do, what not to do. In fact this carried on for about 3 years, no real direction and barely any contact with anyone else my age with diabetes. I had kind of got on top of managing my diabetes, mostly by trial and error but I was managing. Until one day, I had recently moved to kent and had transferred to Darent Valley Diabetes Centre based at the hospital. I was sat in the waiting room and a little apprehensive of how this new team would treat me when I started browsing the notice board, something caught my eye, it was a poster, 18-30’s with type 1, this sounded interesting! During my chat with the nurse I told her I spotted a poster on the board and she told me about a girl named Shelley. She was the one who runs the group and I was told to go along and check it out.

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Slightly nervous, I built up the courage to pop along to one of the Rant Rooms and this was the first time I had met people my age with T1. I was not alone and it sounds bad, but I realised there were people who were struggling more than I was. It immediately made me feel better about myself and 3 years on I am a regular rant roomer and have made some amazing friends through this group. We have had some great times and I always know, if I ever have any issues or problems, they are just a message away from being there for me or if I ever get late with my repeat prescriptions then someone is there to lend me some supplies. Small things to some people but amazing support for others.

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Over my time attending Circle D I have witnessed numerous guests come and go, some good, some bad, but one that really struck a chord with me was the visit of Lucy and Catherine from The Pendsey Trust. It made me want to help others more! Their stories of how people cope with Type 1 in developing countries made me realise just how lucky we are here in England. The biggest shock was that Lucy who drives this charity, isn’t even type 1 herself. She just wants to help others who are. Such a selfless act has inspired me, a fellow type 1 to want to do more for others.

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The story of Dr Pendsey in India, who the charity was named after, is amazing and one day I would love to meet him to thank him on behalf of every type 1 he has helped.

The Pendsey Trust runs charity fundraisers, and the next one is a Hog Roast evening, in London. And I for one will be there supporting and helping to raise further funds for this great cause. Thanks Lucy and Catherine for opening my eyes.

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Thanks very much to Mike Pollard, and we look forward to working together with Circle D in the future! You can find out more on the website: http://www.circledrocks.co.uk, follow them on Twitter, and like them on Facebook.

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