Doorknobs and Dresses - Finding Freedom with Omnipod DASH®.

29 February, 2024

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 14 years old and I am now 31. There have certainly been some tricky times in those years, but it has never held me back from anything. I can’t change that I have type 1 diabetes, but I know it does not define me. Type 1 Diabetes has become a routine in my life that instead motivates me to do things I don’t think I would have otherwise. Here is a snippet of my story and how I have found that freedom.

When first diagnosed I did multiple daily injections and tested glucose levels with a blood glucose meter. Fast forward to my early 20s and I used a tubed insulin pump for a year. Whilst I am glad I did it, it was not for me and still isn’t. I live a really active life and having tubes is not something I want to deal with. I like being able to wear any clothing and not worry about whether tubing may catch.

I’d seen on social media the Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System and when it came to Australia, I was experiencing diabetes burn out. I honestly didn’t know if it would work for me, but I gave it a go because you don’t know unless you try. Best decision. I always say it’s given me a feeling of freedom that I didn’t know I was missing. The people in my life who know me well also saw this change and for them it’s really nice to know how happy I am.

Looking at my everyday life the PDM* takes a huge chunk of the thinking out of diabetes for me, even things like how much insulin I have active. I love the convenience of the PDM. There are moments when I will have the Omnipod in a more discreet site, and I never have to think if the tubing will get caught or if I have packed my insulin because it’s already attached to me! I get to go out and do all these amazing things and live my life exactly the way I want - happy and well.

The thing I find hardest with diabetes is that it is a chronic condition, and it is with you 24/7. There is no day off or annual leave. I think that is partly why I become so passionate about getting out and sharing my story. In 2022 I entered a beauty pageant called Miss Fit Bikini Model. I had never done any modelling before but wanted to show that having medical devices is not something to feel ashamed about. I also wanted to share with people the importance of having access to them, so I chose swimming as my fitness round in 2022 because the pod is waterproof^‡- a huge advantage. I won Miss Wellbeing 2022 and in 2023 I returned as an alumni model.

For me showing off my devices** in a beauty pageant represents so much more than just sharing my story. It was about role modelling that you can go out and do these things. I have loved every part of this, and I have great fun. You likely will have moments where you doubt yourself on the way but that is where you find your courage and you will shine; I can promise you this. I actually remember bursting into tears just before I went out for the swimwear round in 2022 - it never stopped me though. Be kind to yourself and reach out in those moments. Turn problems into possibilities.

Tia Bravery.

*PDM – Personal Diabetes Manager
‡The Pod has a waterproof IP28 rating for up to 7.6 metres for 60 minutes. The PDM is not waterproof.
** The Omnipod DASH® System is not interoperable with continuous glucose management systems. Readings from a CGM or BG system can be manually entered and used for a bolus calculation.

These Results may not be typical.
The author was not compensated for this blog.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Please consult with your Healthcare Professional to understand if the Omnipod DASH® System would be a suitable treatment for you.
The Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System is intended for subcutaneous delivery of insulin at set and variable rates for the management of diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin. Additionally, the Omnipod DASH® System permits manual entry of readings from blood glucose meters, enabling storage and display of blood glucose measurements. The Omnipod DASH® System has been tested and found to be safe for use with the following: NovoRapid® (insulin aspart), Fiasp® (insulin aspart), Humalog® (insulin lispro), Admelog® (insulin lispro), and Apidra® (insulin glulisine). Refer to the Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System User Guide for complete safety information including indications, contraindications, warnings, cautions, and instructions. This User Guide is periodically updated. Visit Omnipod.com to see the most recent version and to find other helpful information. To access this User Guide in other languages, see Omnipod.com.