My Story

"I had to go to the toilet five times while writing my story today…"

Most people would just laugh that off — like, classic overshare, right? Or in most homes, that’d just be a random comment from a four-year-old. But in mine, it wasn’t something my parents could ignore.

Let’s rewind a few months.

My identical twin sister, Oriana, and I were completely inseparable – same laugh, same likes, same friends. But then everything changed. Oriana was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Overnight, her world became blood tests, insulin, and carb counting. I stayed on the outside of it – watching her, watching my parents try to stay strong. I was scared for her… and so grateful it wasn’t me.

But a few months later, it was. Diabetes became part of my life too.

Now, at 18, Oriana and I are both living with type 1. And honestly? It’s exhausting. It’s not just a few injections a day – it’s a constant mental and physical load. It affects everything: school, sleep, food, friends.

Try doing an exam during a hypo – your brain goes foggy, your hands won’t work, your eyes blur. Or when your sugars are high? It’s like trying to focus while having the flu. And yet, we still show up and keep going.

But turning 18 made me want to take back some control. To remind myself I’m more than this condition. So I set myself a huge goal: to run the London Marathon on 26^th April 2026, and along the way taking on other running challenges. Some will be hard. But I’ll keep running – for me, for Oriana, and for everyone living with type 1.

For me, running is a way of saying: diabetes doesn’t get the final word. And I’m doing it with my mum – who started running for us, holding onto hope that one day a cure will be found.

She just has to think about the weather. I have to think about insulin, snacks, blood sugars, and staying safe while pushing my body. Every run is a challenge. Every mile is a win.

We’re doing this together to raise money for Breakthrough Type 1 – a charity funding research to cure type 1 diabetes. They believe it’s possible. So do I.

If you can support us, thank you. Every donation is more than just money – it’s hope. Hope for a cure. Hope that one day, Oriana and I can live completely free.

From the bottom of my heart – thank you for believing in that future with us.