‘2 hours after giving birth, it was insinuated that I was responsible for my son being in a special care unit.’

Illustrator Suzie Byatt fell pregnant just months after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2022. Still reeling from a type 2 misdiagnosis in the middle of the pandemic, Suzie carefully nurtured her developing son within strict blood glucose parameters alongside getting to grips with type 1 diabetes amidst the fluctuating hormones that come with pregnancy.

She also found herself repeatedly facing unhelpful and judgemental interactions with medical professionals, just when she needed help the most.

Originally from London but now living in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Adam and her one year old son Desmond, Suzie recalls feeling like she didn’t have a voice when it came to her condition, or her birth.

Suzie’s experiences have led to her launching the gorgeous Type 1 Writers global penpal club.
Alongside her sister Zoe, who also lives with type 1, the pair are connecting people living with type 1 diabetes around the world through handwritten notes from carefully matched penpals - helping others connect while helping Suzie to process her experiences, one letter at a time.

This episode is packed full of so much, so please do hit play and then immediately go and send Suzie some love, especially if you’re looking for a penpal!

CONNECT WITH SUZIE
Suzie’s Instagram
Type 1 Writers Instagram
Type 1 Writers Website

SPONSOR MESSAGE:
Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom.

Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes.

They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at https://www.dexcom.com/