CONNECT WELLNESS
Photo by xb100 | Freepik.com
Kimberly Matsuno (Niigata)
Toothbrush, toothpaste, a change of clothes, alcohol wipes, medical tape, rubber tubes, glucose meter, shortacting insulin, long-acting insulin, a cooling tube to protect said insulin, and roughly eight to ten granola bars. No, this isn’t an inventory list for a pharmacy. It’s just the beginning of a packing list for a carry-on of a type 1 diabetic. Packing lists aside, moving abroad can often be as stressful as it is exciting. But for those moving to Japan with type 1 diabetes, it can be an even more stressful endeavor.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mary Tackett, John McCarthy, and Daniel Manzella, three members of Dia-JET-ics, a Discord community for diabetic expats in Japan, about their experiences beginning a new life in Japan while managing their T1D.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. People with T1D need to take insulin several times a day to stay healthy and alive. 62 |
