A LETTERKENNY woman who was diagnosed with diabetes 40 years ago this week is using her ‘diaversary’ to raise money to help fund research to find a cure.

Rosaleen Connolly was diagnosed with the chronic and life-changing condition on September 13, 1981, when she was just 11 years old. And, while she has seen many positive developments in research, the mother-of-two said it was her dream to be a part of funding research for a cure.

A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes  changed Rosaleen’s life, going from a carefree youngster to having to injecting herself with insulin daily to protect against the potentially life-threatening condition.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Rosaleen told of how the disease shaped her adolescent years as she grappled with a new way of living.

 “I was showing all the symptoms, I had lost weight, I was drinking loads of water and I was really tired all the time. I was sent to Letterkenny hospital where I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and I had to start injecting myself daily. I learned to do this by practising on an orange and still to this day I remember that. Luckily, I was able to inject myself and the odd time my mum would have done it for me if I was feeling poorly.

“When I was younger I was a bit embarrassed about my condition but I learned to tell my teachers although it took a while for me to tell other people. I was very lucky because I had a brilliant teacher called Maureen McKeeman in Cashelshannaghan National School. She looked out for me and she would have driven me home if she thought I was unwell.”

Rosaleen said she has made long-lasting friendships through diabetes.

“When I was diagnosed there were three other girls also diagnosed at the same time and we all became friends and stayed friends. It’s a great support circle and there are also plenty of support groups in Donegal.”

Her diagnosis also came with challenges, one being when she found out she was expecting her first baby.

“I had my first child, Danielle, when I was 25. That was a really difficult time as I had to go to the clinic every two weeks for check-ups. It was hard being pregnant with diabetes but everything worked out well. Danielle was born three weeks early and my son Mark was born around his scheduled date but he was a little bigger than average, as is common when you have diabetes.”

Rosaleen has experienced some difficulties on her journey with diabetes including a loss of sight in her left eye. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic also brought challenges.

“Covid has been difficult and I was quite afraid going out and about, but I have a job which I could do remotely from home which was brilliant. I am double vaccinated now so I feel a lot safer.

“That was very frightening. I was having laser treatment when I lost the vision completely in my left eye. I was operated on in Dublin and my sight came back but for a while it was very scary.

“My dream is to raise funds to help fund research to find a cure. Research has made my life as a diabetic much easier, particularly with things like Libre to check blood glucose but you have to pay for Libre here whereas in the north it is free.

“The treatment from when I was diagnosed to until now has changed dramatically over the years due to research and makes living with diabetes easier. But insulin is not a cure, it is only a medicine until a cure is found. That’s why I want to find a cure. I would love to tell someone one day, ‘did I ever tell you I used to be a diabetic’.”

Rosaleen praised the great care she has received from doctors and staff in Scally Practice, the diabetes team, Letterkenny University Hospital and her pharmacy.

 “I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support and love of my all great family and friends too please.”

Rosaleen has set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise funds for Diabetes Ireland to help find a cure. To donate, see www.gofundme.com/f/77rexp-40th-anniversary