Living life unstoppable:
Alice’s journey with type 1 diabetes

By Alice Hibbert-Davies, who lives with Type 1 and is on a hybrid-closed loop system 

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional about your diabetes management. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

24/03/2026
 

The moment everything changed

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes can feel like the end of the world, well at least it did for me, especially as I was diagnosed just weeks before I was due to go to Florida to compete in my first Cheerleading World Championships.

In the week before I was diagnosed, I knew I had Type 1 as my symptoms were similar to what my sister experienced before she was diagnosed just 3 years earlier. Despite knowing how serious Type 1 is, I was reluctant to go to the doctor’s as I was terrified that diabetes would ruin my life. At the time of diagnosis, I was 18 and just starting to find my independence and explore the world. Eventually I did go to the doctor’s as I realised how weak I had become and that my fasting blood glucose was above 17mmol/L! 

The day of my diagnosis was a whirlwind. First of all my GP told me to wait a week and see if my blood glucose came down. Luckily, I knew about the risk of DKA and I was able to advocate for myself and get an emergency GP appointment. From that appointment I was sent straight to hospital where I was put on a drip to bring my ketones down.

I was shocked to learn that I would spend less than 24 hours in the hospital and would be sent home with loads of information. Although I already knew so much about living with Type 1 (based off my sister’s experience), I was still completely overwhelmed so I can't imagine how scary it must be for someone with no previous experience or knowledge of the condition. 

Learning to live again

The first few weeks after diagnosis were scary as I had to learn to physically carry out the role of my pancreas while normal life carried on around me; however with the support of my family and friends I was quickly able to adapt.

I was fortunate enough to attend the World Championships and successfully manage my diabetes in Florida. This was both physically and emotionally challenging as I had to adapt to managing diabetes abroad shortly after diagnosis, as well as having the pressure and stress from the competition. Although I felt as if I had been thrown in at the deep end, I am extremely grateful that I went as it gave me the confidence to be able to travel with diabetes and advocate for myself at airports. On top of that, representing team England at the World Championships is one of my biggest achievements, and I have since been selected for the team twice more, and I am now proud to call myself a two-time World Champion!

Life three years on – discovering hybrid closed loop

Three years on, managing diabetes is second nature, and it’s made even simpler with the hybrid closed loop system, that combines the Libre 3 Plus sensor and the mylife YpsoPump* insulin pump. Transitioning from pens to a hybrid closed loop (HCL) system was one of the best decisions I have made.

The HCL system suits my busy lifestyle and it has made management so much easier as I can quickly bolus from my phone and don’t have to worry about changing needles and priming for every bolus. I also appreciate how it keeps my glucose levels in range without much input from myself, reducing some of the stress and brain power needed to manage diabetes.

The Libre 3 Plus sensor is also immensely helpful as it provides readings every minute, giving me peace of mind and allowing the pump to take action when my glucose levels are rising or falling rapidly. I also love the small size of the Libre 3 Plus sensor, as it is less likely to get pulled off at cheer or when walking into a door frame when I rush round the house!

The peace of mind that this technology gives me allows me to live life to the full and not let diabetes hold me back. This summer I will be climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity which is very daunting, especially with having the added worry of diabetes. However I trust that with the hybrid closed loop system, I will be able to easily manage my diabetes.

Why support matters more than anything

Although technology is vital in simplifying diabetes management, it is also important to have a strong support network. Without the support and understanding from my family and friends, diabetes would be 10x harder and I wouldn't have been able to achieve what I have done so far in life. So whether you're a friend or a parent of a person living with diabetes, or you live with Type 1 diabetes yourself, please remember that you are not alone and there is support out there. 

Thank you so much for reading my story and remember that although diabetes is tough, you are tougher and it’s important not to let diabetes hold you back from living your best life. 

Alice was paid a fee to write this blog. All views are her own and not necessarily those of Abbott.