Theresa May is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the first world leader to have type 1 diabetes.
Mrs May was appointed as Prime Minister on 13 July 2016. Two days previously, she became leader of the Conservative Party following David Cameron’s resignation in June.
Misdiagnosis
May was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 following a blood test after her recent weight loss.
However, the tablets she was prescribed by doctors failed to work. Subsequently, further tests revealed that May had type 1 diabetes
May was then switched on to taking two insulin injections a day, which later increased to four.
Daily management
Managing type 1 diabetes in a high-profile job has required adjustments for May, who previously had to handle the various challenges of being Home Secretary.
In an article with Balance magazine, May explained: “I go to a lot of functions where I am eating and I speak at dinners, so that brings an added complication. When I’m going to do a debate or speaking at a conference, I have to make sure that I’ve tested and know where I am, so I can adjust as necessary.”
May had to break the House of Commons’ rules on not eating in the Chamber when she ate some nuts during a debate without being seen by the Speaker.
Fighting back
May has written to schools in her Maidenhead constituency since her diagnosis, ensuring they understand the support they are required to give children with type 1 diabetes.
She has also supported charity work such as JRDF’s #CountMeIn petitio, which asked the Government to examine the amount invested in type 1 diabetes research.
While playing a vital role in the running of the country and successfully managing her type 1 diabetes, May is a tribute to not letting diabetes stand in the way of what you do with your life.
