Like Sophie Ndaba, Howza and Kirsten de Klerk, Singer Holly Rey has been open about living with sugar diabetes. In 2020, she first opened up about her battle with type 1 diabetes, saying, the decision to open up about this part of her life has been a very scary one. "When I was 11 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and my world changed forever," Holly said. "When I was younger I would avoid telling people about my condition until it was absolutely necessary to avoid judgement, which often meant putting my own health at risk." During the coronavirus pandemic, she cautioned people living with chronic illnesses to be cautious. "This period of the Covid pandemic has been an incredibly scary time for people living with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and every day I wake up and think about all the people across SA who are living with diabetes and aren't able to isolate or fully protect themselves." The singer now says how the last few weeks have been tough on her health.
LIVING WITH DIABETES
With November being National Diabetes Month, Holly says, "The real and sometimes ugly side of being diabetic. It isn't always easy. I always try to showcase a positive attitude towards diabetes but sometimes it can be really hard, and I think all type 1 diabetics can relate to that. Wherever you are, I hope you know that it's ok to not be ok. And having a bad day with your diabetes does not make you a bad diabetic. Happy diabetes month."
THE BATTLE
The Deeper singer goes on to say that she has been feeling ill of late. "I have been so sick," she says. "I have an ear infection and can't hear anything on one side. I have been congested and fluey and I've really struggled with my diabetes." She says that as a diabetic when one has an infection in the body, it pushes the sugar up. "This is because your body is trying to fight off an infection and that pushes your glucose up," she says. "So, I have been feeling really horrible all around. When you have this infection, you're not taking extra insulin to help fight this infection. Sometimes you miscalculate and It's like this rollercoaster rid. Everything is affecting your glucose, all the time and making you feel horrible." Holly admit it's hard to manage," she says. "If a normal person had the same thing, they would be good in a few days. I am just run down and exhausted. I am just over it. But it's also normal to feel that way sometimes. You feel like you're over it." She says that's why it's important if you have a family member or friend who is diabetic to be supportive.
