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As part of the Long Story Short series, we are sharing the stories of people around the world who are living with type 2 diabetes. This is Hatice's story.
Hatice's journey with type 2 diabetes began not with her own diagnosis, but with her mother’s, when she was just 10 years old. Little did she know, this early exposure would shape her approach and attitude towards the disease in profound ways.
Growing up in Kayseri, Türkiye, Hatice often accompanied her mother to diabetes camps, absorbing information about the condition like a sponge. These camps weren’t just about learning the basics – they were about living well with diabetes. Hatice soaked up knowledge – from dietary and lifestyle considerations, to insulin administration and hypoglycaemia avoidance – building a foundation that would serve her well later in life.
At the age of 40, she found herself in the hospital with mysterious wounds that she couldn’t explain. What initially seemed like symptoms of stress were revealed to be indicators of something else: Hatice had type 2 diabetes, like her mother before her.
Hatice faced her condition with remarkable calm. Her familiarity with the disease helped her to see that diabetes need not be a daunting diagnosis. She saw it instead as a fully manageable condition, simply a new chapter in her life.
Having witnessed the remarkable evolution of diabetes care over the years, Hatice is also aware that her diabetes journey is notably easier today than it was for people before her. She vividly remembers the equipment her mother used to carry – a huge box filled with aluminium containers that needed boiling, and needles that required meticulous care to avoid contamination.
Now Hatice carries a compact kit, including insulin pens and other tools, that makes her diabetes management easy on the go. These technological and medical innovations allow her to live her passion of travelling the world.
Hatice’s approach to life with diabetes is infectiously positive. Her zest for life shines through in her hobbies and her passion to share her experience with others with type 2 diabetes.
Drawing from a lifetime of experience and knowledge that it is possible to take control of your health with the right treatment, Hatice is an example and inspiration to friends and neighbours who find themselves experiencing anxiety in the face of insulin therapy. She’s happy to help people see diabetes management through her eyes, offers emotional support and shares her wisdom.
From the young girl absorbing knowledge at her mother’s side, to a globetrotting grandmother of four, Hatice embodies the idea that diabetes is a condition to be managed, not a limitation to be feared.
Has your doctor suggested that you might need insulin to treat your type 2 diabetes? Read through our guide and take notes on questions you can ask your healthcare professional
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