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Holly Rey opens up about living with type 1 diabetes

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Holly Rey (PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images)
Holly Rey (PHOTO: Getty Images/Gallo Images)
  • Holly Rey has opened up about her battle with type 1 diabetes in an effort to create awareness around the disease.
  • In a picture shared online, the singer exposed her belly to show the Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system she uses to keep track of her blood sugar levels.
  • Rey was diagnosed at the age of 11, and while she admits dealing with the chronic disease has been difficult, she has also dreaded having to put up with the stereotypes surrounding the condition.


In a post shared on Instagram, SA singer Holly Rey spoke openly about her battle with type 1 diabetes. 

"The decision to open up about this part of my life has been a very scary one for me because of how personal and difficult this particular journey has been for me. When I was 11 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and my world changed forever," Rey said.

The Deeper hitmaker admitted that, while dealing with the chronic ailment was very difficult, she also dreaded having to put up with the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the condition. 

"When I was younger I would avoid telling people about my condition until it was absolutely necessary to avoid judgement which often meant putting my own health at risk."

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, experts have warned that those with pre-existing conditions like diabetes may find it harder to fight the virus if exposed to it. 

"This period of the Covid pandemic has been an incredibly scary time for people living with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and everyday I wake up and think about all the people across SA who are living with diabetes and aren't able to isolate or fully protect themselves [sic]," Rey added.

In the picture accompanying the post, Rey shows off her Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, saying that she recently started using it. The system is used to take glucose measurements at regular intervals throughout the day, sending those readings to a device where the singer will be able to access it and use the information provided to monitor her condition. 

"It has become my best friend. I always joke with my friends and say that I am a semi-bionic woman," she said about the CGM. 

By sharing this information, Rey wishes to create awareness around type 1 diabetes. "I want to show kids and anyone living with Type 1 diabetes that you can achieve your greatest dreams. Having to constantly monitor your glucose and depending on insulin is not a limitation and you do not have to hide it."

View this post on Instagram

The decision to open up about this part of my life has been a very scary one for me because of how personal and difficult this particular journey has been for me. When I was 11 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and my world changed forever. Diabetes is a chronic disease and something that diabetics have to navigate and calculate everyday. We have good days and we have bad days. But on top of that we deal with so many stereotypes and misconception that makes us feel uncomfortable and sometimes ashamed of our condition- I often hear people say things like , “only old people have diabetes”, “only overweight people have diabetes” “did you get diabetes from eating too much sugar” - and the answer to all of these questions is no. When I was younger I would avoid telling people about my condition until it was absolutely necessary to avoid judgement which often meant putting my own health at risk. This period of the Covid pandemic has been an incredibly scary time for people living with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and everyday I wake up and think about all the people across SA who are living with diabetes and aren’t able to isolate or fully protect themselves. I have realized that I have a responsibility to open up and create awareness about diabetes’s. What I thought would be my greatest weakness in life has become my greatest strength. I want to show kids and anyone living with Type 1 diabetes that you can achieve your greatest dreams. Having to constantly monitor your glucose and depending on insulin is not a limitation and you do not have to hide it. I recently went on to a CGM system and although I was nervous to have a foreign object attached to me at first, I honestly don’t even notice it and it has changed my life completely. It has become my best friend. I always joke with my friends and say that I am a semi-bionic woman. I want kids to learn about CGMS and I want to be a part of changing the lives of South Africans affected by Type 1 Diabetes. CGMS has helped me accomplish so much. The journey to self love is a process and I cant wait to share it with you. #OwnYourStory #DexcomG6 #Ethitech #HealthInnovation #type1diabetes #diabetes

A post shared by Holly Rey (@hollyreymusic) on

   
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