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Diabetes Awareness Week

Meet Our People: Annie Sage

Meet Annie

Annie is a valued NHS 111 Call Handler based in our Welwyn Garden City contact centre. As it is Diabetes Awareness Week, we want to spotlight Annie and her inspiring journey with Type 1 diabetes. Annie shares her personal experience, offering insights into her diagnosis, lifestyle, and management.

Annie Sage

When did you find out you had Type 1 diabetes? 

“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of one and a half years old. Sometimes I feel as though because I was diagnosed so young, it’s all I’ve ever known, so I just live and deal with it the best that I can every day. This can be challenging as there are plenty of factors that affect my diabetes.” 

What else is important to know?

What are the risk factors to look out for?

“I was very young at the time but in terms of risk factors that were spotted by my parents, I became more prone to illness and infection. I also became excessively thirsty and lost a significant amount of weight.”

How do you manage your diabetes?

“I manage my diabetes predominately with insulin, but also diet and exercise can help to control my blood sugars as well. In my experience, I find that gentle exercise such as swimming, walking or pilates doesn’t send my blood sugars levels spiralling downwards.”

Have you got any tips or advice for people with type 1 diabetes? 

“My biggest tip for anybody with type 1 diabetes would be to make sure you are organised in terms of your care. Making sure that you’re always equipped with sugary drinks or snacks in case your sugar levels drop and making sure you carry your insulin everywhere with you in case of high blood sugar. Diabetes cannot stop you from achieving what you want to achieve, but proactive control of the condition helps you become less stressed out by it.”