Diabetic friends following their dreams and living life to the full

Both living with Type 1 diabetes, Beth and Ellen have turned their experience into a mission: building a supportive community for others living with the condition across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Through humour, honesty, and everyday stories on their social media platforms, the friends have helped families better understand Type 1 and the power of connection.

Ellen was diagnosed with diabetes when she was just seven; Beth was 20.

They both recall having all of the classic ‘Four T’ symptoms - Toilet, Thirst, Thinness and Tiredness.

“Because I was so young, I didn’t really take it in at first - I just knew my parents were scared, which made me scared too,” Ellen reflected.

“It wasn’t until my early teens that it really hit me. I started noticing I was different from the other girls at school, and that made me feel self-conscious.

"Over time, I’ve learned to embrace it, but it definitely took a while to get there.” Beth revealed she was in “total shock”. “Being 20 and in the middle of uni, I just didn’t see it coming.

"It felt like everything I knew about my lifestyle had to change overnight - counting carbs, planning meals, thinking about exercise differently.

“It was overwhelming at first, but over time I found my rhythm and realised it didn’t have to hold me back.”

So, what does a day in the life of a diabetic look like?

Ellen explained: “For me, it’s a constant balancing act. I’m always keeping an eye on my glucose levels and trying to stay in range.

“I use the Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) device to monitor my levels and an Omnipod 5 for insulin.

“Every day involves decisions - from carb counting to adjusting for things like stress, hormones, or even something as simple as a walk or shower. It’s a lot of mental maths, but technology makes it so much easier.”

Beth added: “It’s definitely a full-time job sometimes! My Dexcom G7 CGM device gives me real-time insights, so I can see what my glucose levels are doing throughout the day and make quick decisions about food, exercise or insulin.

“But even with all the tech, some days are just unpredictable - stress, sleep, hormones - they all play a part. It’s about doing your best and not letting it control you.”

The inseparable friends both agree that navigating life with diabetes together has made the journey less daunting.

“We can laugh about the tough moments, share tips, or just vent when it all feels a bit much,” Ellen said.

Understand

Beth commented: “Everyone loves to have a friend they can relate to, and for us, we understand every high, low, and everything in between. When one of us feels burnt out, the other’s there to pick us up.”

Six years ago, “as a bit of a joke”, the girls filmed a before-and-after video of a night out and shared it on TikTok.

It was an instant hit, reaching one million views and, from there on, ‘The Diabetic Duo’ phenomenon took off.

“That was the moment we realised how powerful visibility could be,” Beth told the Chronicle.

The girls now have an incredible 32,000 followers on TikTok and 19,000 on Instagram!

“It’s honestly surreal!” Ellen enthused. “We pinch ourselves every day. People trust us enough to share their stories, their struggles, and emotions - it’s really special.

“My biggest message is that life doesn’t stop with Type 1 diabetes. You can still do amazing things, have fun, and live fully.”

Beth continued: “It’s such an honour to be part of people’s journeys. I want others to see that diabetes doesn’t define you. You can still achieve your dreams, go out, travel, have fun - it’s just about finding balance and not being afraid to be open about it.”

Tomorrow is World Diabetes Day - a hugely significant date on the calendar for Beth and Ellen.

“This World Diabetes Day, we’re so proud to be part of Dexcom’s global campaign all about advocacy - using our platform to represent people living with diabetes, celebrate the community, and inspire others,” Ellen said.

“Advocacy is something that’s really close to our hearts, so being involved in a campaign that champions strength, representation and pride means so much.”

Beth added: “Advocacy isn’t just about awareness; it’s about using your story to help others feel seen and supported.

“We’re also hosting our own event on Saturday (November 15) at Haymarket Belfast!

Connection

"It’s going to be an amazing day to bring our ‘Diabesties’ together - a celebration of community, connection and everything that makes living with Type 1 diabetes powerful and positive.”

The friends had this advice - and encouragement - for anyone recently diagnosed with diabetes.

“Firstly - take a deep breath,” Ellen suggested. “It can feel like so much at the start, but you’ll get there. There’s an amazing community of people out there who understand exactly what you’re going through, and you’re never alone in it.”

“We’d encourage anyone newly diagnosed to connect with others living with Type 1 - online or in person - because that support makes such a difference,” Beth said.

“I personally also found the DAFNE course really helpful for understanding how to manage diabetes day-to-day, but more than that, it helped me feel empowered and confident in ourselves.”

Beth and Ellen wear the Dexcom G7, the latest CGM from Dexcom that is easy to use and was created for people with diabetes.

For more information visit: https://www.dexcom.com/en-GB

‘Life doesn’t stop with Type 1 diabetes. You can still do amazing things, have fun, and live fully...’