My name is Melanie Stephenson-Gray, I’m 30 and have been living with type 1 diabetes for 17 years. I was diagnosed with the condition just after my 13th birthday and went straight onto multiple daily injections. Since then diabetes treatment has progressed, as have the requirements surrounding how I need to treat it. As a result of which, after a difficult transition, I am now an insulin pump user and have been for the last 10 years.
After being diagnosed with diabetes I decided to take back control, and take up athletics and haven't looked back since. I'm now an international level athlete, having represented my country on over 25 occasions in the 100m and 200m sprints and relays and have captained my country. I was also featured in my own Nike campaign during the London 2012 Olympics. A time when I was also fortunate enough to be nominated and was successful leading to carrying the Olympic torch in front of over 20,000 people.
I've learnt so much already along my diabetes and sporting journey, but enjoy broadening my diabetes knowledge by attending events and meeting new people, having started the support group Blue Circle Diabetes in 2013. Sometimes I've had to learn the hard way, and that's the reason that I started this blog. To share my knowledge and experiences, in order to make life a little easier for other people with diabetes. This is a passion that I also fulfil through volunteering, a role that includes working as a media ambassador for Diabetes UK, as an international speaker/presenter, JDRF UK Sports Personality of the Year, a diabetes consultant, an IDF Young Leader and an award winning social media influencer.
So I hope you enjoy reading my blog, I'd love to hear what you think and to read your suggestions on what you'd like to see me write about, because when people with diabetes come together, something amazing happens!
Some people I've worked with:
