Beth McDaniel
Social Media content creator & Diabetes UK supporter
Ellen Watson
Social Media content creator & Diabetes UK supporter
Two girls share their experiences of living with their diabetes and how their online presence has helped to connect people living with diabetes.
Q: When were you diagnosed with diabetes and how did you and your friends/family react?
Ellen – I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes the week before I turned seven, so it wasn’t the best birthday present. I was very young but my mother is a nurse, so she fortunately noticed the symptoms I had (extreme thirst and irritability) and took me to the doctors. Due to my age, my family were devastated by the news as they feared my life could be very challenging.
Beth – I have a very different diagnosis story from Ellen as I was diagnosed at 20 years old. This was a huge shock for me as I was just entering my adult life when I received this diagnosis due to a temporary loss in vision. My family and friends have been so supportive and have made this journey so much easier.
Q: Once you were diagnosed, how quickly did you start sharing your diabetes journey online?
We both only began to share our diabetes journey together in October 2019 on TikTok, when it was an extremely new platform. We recorded a ‘night out’ transformation video, not related to our diabetes, which blew up due to our CGM (continuous glucose monitor) devices on our arms.
After the positive reaction, we decided to roll with it and that is how The Diabetic Duo was created. Since then we create fun, light-hearted, big sister advice-style videos for people with diabetes and their friends and families.
We hope we can inspire other people with diabetes to live their best lives!
Q: What have you found out about the diabetes community since teaming up online?
We never realised how huge the online diabetes community was until we began The Diabetic Duo. It is amazing to see how many people with diabetes are proudly living their lives online which we know massively helps others who are maybe struggling. We have both met amazing charities and organisations like Diabetes UK who provide amazing support and care for other people with diabetes.
Q: How do you hope to inspire others living with diabetes in the future?
We hope we can inspire other people with diabetes to live their best lives! Diabetes does not hold you back from your dreams. Yes, you do have to be more organised and make hundreds of extra decisions a day all while looking after your diabetes, but as long as you keep a positive attitude, nothing can stop you.
Beth McDaniel and Ellen Watson post on social media as The Diabetic Duo and are Diabetes UK supporters.
