Blog - Warrior Stories
The Diabetic Duo Share Their Diabetes Diagnosis Story
Dexcom Warriors, the Diabetic Duo*, tell us about their diagnosis stories, how they came to terms with it and rely on each other as a source of support and unwavering friendship.
Find out how they’re living their best life with diabetes.
Find out how they’re living their best life with diabetes.
Meet Dexcom Warriors, Beth and Ellen*
Best friends and Banbridge locals, Beth and Ellen, work full time in the marketing industry. Shortly after Beth was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 2019, they become internet sensations as the Diabetic Duo on TikTok. They’ve amassed almost 30K followers and 40 million views with their light hearted and relatable content. They mesh their passion for fashion, makeup, beauty and nightlife with the daily considerations of young adults living with diabetes.
They also love showing off their Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems with pride while getting glammed up, inspiring other young people to do the same.
1. When did the two of you first meet? You were both diagnosed around the same time?
Ellen: Beth and I met at our first part-time job when we were 16 and 17. We clicked immediately, became best friends and ended up moving in together when we started university.
Beth: We were diagnosed with T1D at completely different ages and life stages. I wasn’t even diagnosed when I first met Ellen.
2. When and how were you diagnosed with T1D?
Ellen: I was diagnosed with T1D when I was young, aged 7. My mother is a nurse and noticed some of the symptoms of diabetes, so I went to get tested.
Beth: I was diagnosed just 3 years ago at the age of 20. I had all the common symptoms of diabetes, literally all the ‘4Ts’. I knew about them and was able to recognise them because of Ellen. So, I went straight to my GP and got tested.
3. How did the diagnosis make you feel? Did you go through stages of shock and denial? Did you feel overwhelmed or anxious at first?
Ellen: The diagnosis didn’t affect me that much at first as I was a child and didn’t fully understand what it meant. I almost feel like I was diagnosed a second time as teenager when I was given the responsibility to manage the condition on my own.
Beth: I was very shocked and overwhelmed by my diagnosis and initially found it quite hard to accept. I was a young adult with an identity and almost felt like I had to grieve the old me. Luckily, I had the support of my best friend who helped me to not only come to terms with it, but to embrace it. It was inspiring to see that you can live a normal life with diabetes.
4. Did you know much about diabetes before your diagnosis?
Ellen: I didn’t know anything about diabetes as I was only a young child at the time. Though I didn’t understand it, I knew there were special considerations I’d need to take, like checking my blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
Beth: I already knew and learnt a lot about diabetes from Ellen which really helped. Also, being diagnosed at an older age, there’s a lot more information about the condition than there was back when Ellen was diagnosed. While a lot of the stigmas and misconceptions about T1D still exist, I feel like it’s slowly getting better.
5. How did you come to terms with your diagnosis?
Ellen: I’d say, I’ve only really come to terms with my diagnosis in the last 2 years or so. Before, it felt like I was fighting a solo battle. But having the support of a best friend and the broader diabetes community has really helped. Being able to speak about it more openly to people, including my HCP, the Dexcom Warriors and our TikTok community, has really changed my life!
Beth: As a young adult with a strong sense of identity, I was initially in denial about my diagnosis. But having a best friend that has been living with diabetes for a long time, has made it a lot easier to come to terms with it. We’re both very positive people with a good sense of humour which really helps. All our aspirations have stayed the same and we like the idea of putting a positive spin on something that has a lot of misinformed, negative connotations.
6. Do you feel like you got adequate support and training from your HCP, family, friends, communities, etc?
Ellen: The child and teenage clinics are absolutely amazing. I’d see my HCP every 6 weeks or so and my mum (with her medical background) was also a great source of knowledge and support. I felt far less supported in the adult world, where I saw my HCP maybe once or twice a year. That being said, I’ve found local and online communities to be crucial in helping me to deal with the emotional stress of living with T1D.
Beth: While gotten pretty good care from the NHS, it does seem like you’re less supported as an adult. You’re expected to learn quite quickly to be fully independent in managing your condition. It feels like you’re somewhat ‘thrown in at the deep end’ at first. I’ve found online diabetes communities to be great, not only for tips and tricks, but especially for emotional support. And, of course, having a best friend that’s’ going through the same thing has been the best help of all!
7. How did you adapt to a life with T1D? Did you find it hard? What changes have you had to make to your lifestyle?
Ellen: Because I was diagnosed at such a young age, living with T1D has always been my life. My diet has remained the same as my family have always supported me and my lifestyle. As I’ve gotten older and had to make my own choices, I’ve had to think about it more. It’s really about being aware of your condition and what you put into your body.
Beth: It was hard at the start as you have to think about everything you do. I didn’t have to change my diet too much as I’ve always been quite healthy in my food choices. But I do love sweets so need to be mindful of the impact it has on my blood sugar levels and, if needed, the right amount of insulin to take. I also need to make sure that I stay hydrated and get regular exercise. I’d definitely say that the level of thought was the biggest change. As long as you’re aware of your condition and make the right treatment decisions, you can live a normal life with diabetes.
8. What has having T1D taught you?
Ellen: Living with diabetes has really shown how strong we are – we’re able to independently manage our condition with a really positive attitude. It’s also taught us to become very empathic – we’re extremely mindful and sensitive to what other people may be going through.
9. How have you supported each other through your diagnosis and diabetes journey?
Ellen: As bad as it is to say, Beth getting diagnosed was the best thing that happened to me. I can talk to my best friend about anything, things that most people wouldn’t understand. While I’ve been living with T1D for years, Beth has also given me great advice and support.
Beth: Ellen helped to onboard me in both a medical and emotional sense. I was so scared of injecting insulin at first but she showed me how she does it and now it’s become like second nature. Ellen also helped me to come to terms with my diagnosis and the daily considerations of living with diabetes.
10. How important would you say community is in dealing with a diabetes diagnosis? What communities/support groups are you part of?
Beth: Community is absolutely fundamental in helping you to deal with a diabetes diagnosis – swapping stories, advice and especially for emotional support. Our Lives, Our Voices is a great platform as it caters to youth, 16–25-year-olds, an age group that is often overlooked. It covers topics for young adults with T1D, like being away from home, at university, becoming independent and slightly taboo subjects like drinking and partying. Diabesties is a good resource for everyday messaging and chatting to other people with diabetes. And, of course, the Dexcom Warrior community has been incredible. The Warrior Weekend was probably one of the best experiences of my life.
From a personal perspective, TikTok has been great to share our stories and create conversations around diabetes.
11. Tell us about your social media presence, what content you create, and how you spread a message of positivity around diabetes.
Ellen: We started our TikTok in 2019, back when it was quite new. We did a makeup transformation video and people kept pointing out our CGM devices and how they loved us showing them off on a night out. We felt like it was a good opportunity to inspire people living with diabetes and to wear your CGM with pride . Our page has been growing strong ever since with a strong, dedicated community.
Beth: We create educational and practical content but, in a fun, light hearted and relatable way. We think of it as ‘big sister’ advice, rather than medical advice, for people who are newly diagnosed or managing their condition as a teenager or young adult. We want girls and young woman to realise that they can live a normal life and chase their dreams.
12. What type of diabetes content do you feel resonates most with your audience?
Ellen: People love content about wearing your CGM and medical devices with pride. Also, being young women in the corporate world, getting glammed up and having an active social life, we share tips on going about your daily life with diabetes.
Beth: People also resonate with our content that talks about how diabetes can affect your mental health.
13. What questions do you get asked most about living with diabetes?
Ellen: Generally, I’d say the most common questions we get revolve around how to become more confident about living with diabetes.
Beth: We get a lot about of questions around topics that young people may not feel comfortable asking their HCP. Of course, we caveat it by saying it’s not medical advice but we get a lot of queries around being at university, partying and drinking alcohol with T1D. Also, about getting glammed up, using make up and spray tan with your CGM device.
14. Do you feel like they’re still a lot of misconceptions around the condition?
Ellen: Yes, I often get comments like “you’re too young or too thin to be diabetic”. Almost every day, I get people asking if I can eat this or that with T1D. The general public still don’t seem to understand that you can live a normal life with diabetes as long as you’re aware of your blood sugar levels and the steps to take if it spikes or dips.
Beth: They’re a lot of diabetic jokes on TV and social media. I saw something the other day showing a decadent dessert saying, “this dessert will give you diabetes”. Not only is this misinformed, but it’s quite rude and insensitive. I see diabetes ‘jokes’ everywhere!
15. What would you say your core message is about living with T1D?
Ellen and Beth: Our message is that being diagnosed and living with diabetes doesn’t stop you from living your best life.
16. What advice would you give to people who have just been diagnosed with diabetes?
Ellen: Again, I’d say that you can live a totally normal life with diabetes. Also, don’t be burdened by numbers - don’t beat yourself up if you have one day of ‘bad’ blood sugar readings. We all have bad and good days and, by educating yourself about your condition, you’ll know how to handle them.
Beth: Take the time to really accept your diagnosis. It doesn’t define you – you’re still you and it makes you unique. They’re also so many amazing communities that you can lean on for advice and emotional support. While your diabetes journey is unique, you’re not alone.
Do you want to become a Dexcom Warrior, like Beth and Ellen?
The Dexcom Warrior programme is designed to help spread the message of strength and optimism for people living with diabetes. Warriors include thousands of people all over the world who are inspiring others by living their best lives and sharing their stories about their personal experiences. Join our local community to do just this and as source of collective support and diabetes knowledge.
Beth and Ellen are paid spokespeople for Dexcom