Turning the tide on diabetes stigma

Chris Reily was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 15 years ago. If you just did some quick maths and thought surely you got it wrong, the year was indeed 2010.

Many of us were yet to buy an iPhone (or a smartphone in general – we see you Android users) and Instagram would not be released until October that year. You likely still had a Myspace profile.

“I was in my final year of high school, and it was a very different time – I had only just created a Facebook account,” Chris recalls.

“There was no Instagram or TikTok, smartphones were barely around. There was no way for me to see or connect with other people with type 1 and I felt very alone.

“Now there’s content everywhere and it’s easier to access, but back then it seemed like there were very few awareness campaigns about diabetes. I felt anxious and embarrassed – I never wanted to wear a medical bracelet.

“One of the reasons we created T1DE is so when people are first diagnosed, they don’t experience that feeling of isolation.”

Introducing T1DE

T1DE (‘tide’) is a brand and community created by Chris, his wife Alexa and brother Mark, with a simple purpose; inspiring people with diabetes to live with confidence.

While it was built around a crossbody bag the trio designed, they hope T1DE will become something even more impactful.

“Our vision is to create a community for people with lived experience of diabetes,” Mark explains.

“There are so many misconceptions about all types of diabetes, and we want to break down that stigma.

“On our social channels we share fun videos, stories and recipes. We want to show people how complex diabetes is and that one size does not fit all when it comes to diabetes management, but also that you can still live a full life.

“Chris has become a lawyer, he plays semi-professional sport, he’s travelled the world… you can still do anything you want.”

Chris says these achievements felt out of reach for him when he was diagnosed at age 17.

“You start thinking, this is the end of the world. If they don't find a cure, my life is over – and that’s just not true,” he says.

“I hope we can send that message to everyone. I have dessert every night and I still go out drinking with my mates. You can still live the fullest life.”

Type 1 is a team sport

Another message T1DE promotes is how vital support people are and how diabetes affects family and friends.

“I didn't appreciate the impact on my mum until a few years ago,” Chris explains.

“She was having sleepless nights and really stressing about it – back then she didn't have access to sensor data on her phone. So poor mum was up all night wondering if I was high or low.

“A little while ago we were on the golf course, and I had a low. I forgot to pack lollies, so Mark had to run to the pro shop. He had no money, so he had to explain the urgency and promise to come back later.

“We want the T1DE social media channels to offer tips on how to help your loved one with diabetes and to recognise that it also impacts family and friends – it’s a community effort.”

Never again forgetting to pack lollies or fumbling around for an insulin pen is exactly what the T1DE crossbody bag promises.

“We were sitting on the couch one day and Mark asked me, ‘what would make your life better and easier?’” Chris explains.

“I was always searching for a bag that was functional, still looked good and would fit all my diabetes stuff. It was frustrating not being able to find a bag that carried everything and that I could feel good about wearing.

“My wife Alexa started sketching a design and it snowballed from there. We reached out to several suppliers for samples because we needed this bag to be perfect.”

It has two insulated compartments for insulin and all the required pockets and straps for monitors, pens, test strips and needles. The T1DE branding is subtle, but Chris hopes in time it will be recognisable among people with diabetes.

“I can’t overstate how it has improved my life – it feels like a security blanket because I always have everything with me,” he says.

“We are confident that anyone living with diabetes will love the benefits and our dream is for people to have that sense of affinity when they see someone else wearing a T1DE bag.

“We want to help people be more confident in managing their diabetes and we hope one day this bag means they don’t have to explain themselves all the time.”

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