Andrew Maume is a Leaving Cert student with Type 1 diabetes, but in the past year he has learned a lot outside of the classroom with thanks to the Paediatric Diabetes Academy at Cork Univeristy Hospital.
With support from the Toy Show Appeal and CUH Charity, they produced a series of videos where young people tell us about the condition in their own words. You can watch Andrew's above and read on to find out more about the project and the condition.
Hi! My name is Andrew Maume. I am 18 years old from Ballintemple, Cork. I am a Leaving Cert student in Presentation Brothers College in Cork. I live right up the road from Páirc Úi Chaoimh, the home of the rebels, with my Mum, Dad, older brother Daniel, younger brother James and our Cavachon Max (the trouble of the house).
I play soccer with Avondale United and have done for about 13 years. In my spare time I do some sports photography work, especially in rugby, soccer and GAA. I have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes since the January, 12 2021, right at the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. It was tough at the beginning of my diagnosis, I felt very scared and isolated with not many people to rely on due to the pandemic. Luckily, I had my incredible mother and father by my side and the wonderful team at CUH who guided me through every step of the way.
How do you manage it?
If there's one thing to say about my management of Type 1 diabetes, it is that every day is different. I could spend one day going low, then high for no particular reason and the next with a lovely graph. I am by no means perfect but then again no one really is.
I measure all of my food for breakfast, lunch and dinner (except for the odd time when I’m too lazy which a lot of the time ends up with a blood sugar of about 14). I carry around lift glucose drinks with me everywhere I go. I am very open about my Type 1 diabetes. It’s not something I hide or think should be hidden. I like to think that I have a very positive mind-set. I always talk to people about my diabetes and try to help them learn something. I am a realist when it comes toit all. I accept that no day will be perfect and that some days are a lot harder than others. I think that this is the best way to handle your diagnosis. Do not hold yourself to standards you cannot keep.
I am currently on a insulin pump and a continuous blood glucose sensor. I can only highly recommend them both. While issues can obviously arise with any technology we have, 9 times out of 10 they work the dream for me. I play soccer and go to the gym just like every other kid does.
My Type 1 diabetes does not hold me back from anything, I just understand that I have to factor in my diabetes with everything. After a few weeks that was second nature. In school it can be a pain, but the staff in school could not be more understanding. I am able to eat when I have a low blood sugar or take a break from class if I need it and even use my phone to access my blood sugar.
How did you get involved in this project?
I got involved with this project last year. I thought the idea was absolutely incredible and could make the diagnosis for a person a lot smoother. I know when I was diagnosed it would have been so helpful to have access to such incredible resources. I also wanted to help anyway I could. I understand how scary it can be at the start and how sometimes it may be easier to hear things from young people rather than the professionals. I wanted to give back to the CUH team including Dr Hawkes, Annelise and Conor who had been so kind to me. Most importantly I wanted to spread awareness about Type 1 diabetes.
What did you learn?
I learned a lot taking part in this project. Even having been diagnosed for 4 years, I was still learning new things or being reminded about things I had forgotten. I learned about how important it is to give young people a voice. In this world at the moment there can be a negative stereotype at times of this "Gen Z" but I think this showed that we aren’t all bad! This project gave young people a platform that some people had never been given before. This platform allowed them to show off something that they are an expert in and this is something we will never forget.
To all of my Type 1 diabetics: be proud of yourself. All this work you are doing showcases the talent and diligence you have. You are a dedicated hardworking individual. Never let anyone tell you anything different. You are not alone. There are so many people who want to help you if you only ask. If you ever need help, just ask somebody or get in contact with your team at the hospital. Of course there are other type 1 diabetics you can talk to. It can always be arranged to talk to someone and gain another perspective.
To our families: I am fully aware of all of the hard work you put into minding us and the stress and worries that we give to you. I am also aware that it can be a thankless job. Please know how much it means to all of us. Your love and support is so appreciated by us. Every Type 1 diabetic needs an army. You are that army and we cannot thank you enough.
Every Type 1 diabetic needs a rock. This could be a parent, a guardian, a friend, a teacher, a grandparent. My rock is my mother and without her I could not cope. Find your rock and make sure to thank them for always being there.
What are some misconceptions about diabetes?
Some people think they can’t do certain things. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Your Type 1 diabetes does not limit you. You can do everything you used to before your diagnosis. You can play sports, swim, go to school, go to the cinema, go on holidays and most importantly eat sweets (but not too much). One of the most common ideas that people think is that we can’t eat sweets. We most certainly can, we just have to watch how much we eat as it can affect our blood sugars.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you learned a thing or two about me and about Type 1 diabetes. Always remember "Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte"!
Mia is in 6th Class and she shares her experience here.
Click here to find out more about the Paediatric Diabetes Academy here!
