Woman speaks out about diabetes struggle in India

An Indian woman has spoken out about the struggles she has endured when managing her diabetes in her home country.

Apoorva Gomber, who has had type 1 diabetes for eight years, was told to “hide” her condition because chronic conditions in India encouraged “social stigma”.

Speaking to the charity T1International on the organisation’s blog, the 24-year-old said: “I used to go into washrooms before every meal to inject my insulin. I used to hide my insulin pens and my glucometer. I could not share how I felt everyday with anyone and I did not like that I was forced to eat even when I was not hungry.

Insulin has saved me and I am happy that I was diagnosed at the right time, but this sweet disease doesn’t bring with it a sweet story

“The low and high sugars and injecting high doses of insulin was making me so irritated that I decided to stop injecting insulin for some time. I stopped talking to people because I was feeling something awful that I would never want anyone to go through.

“I just couldn’t handle anything in life which was making me very negative. I wanted to talk and meet people living with similar problems but I could never find any diabetes camps or diabetic friendly groups in my country to help me.”

Ms Gomber’s condition inspired her to attend medical school and she is planning to pursue her post graduation in diabetes and endocrinology.

Basic health

She hopes to ensure that basic health and emotional care is given to people with diabetes. Ms Gomber is now a global advocate for the charity T1International an organisation which advocates for access to insulin and diabetes supplies for people living with the condition around the world.

Ms Gomber is now on an insulin pump, which she said is considered an expensive piece of medical equipment in India.

She added: “We don’t have insurance in India for people with type 1 diabetes, so we buy everything, including blood sugar strips, glucometers and insulin. It’s our lifeline and we can’t live without it!

“They say money can’t buy you happiness but sometimes I wonder, if there was no money how could have I survived this long? I have only managed because I can afford insulin.

“Insulin has saved me and I am happy that I was diagnosed at the right time, but this sweet disease doesn’t bring with it a sweet story. It took me a long time to get everything sorted. I still learn everyday because each day is a new challenge.

“However, I am really very fortunate because I have access to everything I need. Not to mention, diabetes has taught me how to stay positive in the worst of the situations.”