Holly Rey gets real about living with diabetes
"The decision to open up about this part of my life has been a very scary one for me," Holly said in an inspiring post.
Singer Holly Rey has opened up about her "difficult" journey with diabetes.
The 'Deeper' hitmaker shared a lengthy post on Instagram on what it has been like living with diabetes. She revealed that she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old.
"My world changed forever. Diabetes is a chronic disease and something that diabetics have to navigate and calculate every day. We have good days and we have bad days," she wrote.
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Holly added that diabetics also had to deal with "many stereotypes and misconceptions" about the condition that sometimes makes them feel uncomfortable and ashamed.
"I often hear people say things like, 'only old people have diabetes', 'only overweight people have diabetes', 'did you get diabetes from eating too much sugar' - and the answer to all of these questions is no. When I was younger I would avoid telling people about my condition until it was absolutely necessary to avoid judgment which often meant putting my own health at risk."
Holly said the COVID-19 crisis is an "incredibly scary time" for people with diabetes. People with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes are more vulnerable to the deadly virus.
Holly told her fans that she is speaking up to create awareness.
"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. I have realized that I have a responsibility to open up and create awareness about diabetes. What I thought would be my greatest weakness in life has become my greatest strength. I want to show kids and anyone living with Type 1 diabetes that you can achieve your greatest dreams. Having to constantly monitor your glucose and depending on insulin is not a limitation and you do not have to hide it."
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Holly is one of several local stars living with diabetes. Actress Shaleen Surtie-Richards was diagnosed with the condition in 2000. "Every time I get a headache or feel dizzy, I worry that this is it," she told Medi-Clinic in an interview.
'Scandal' actor Tshepo ‘Howza’ Mosese and Sophie Lichaba (previously Ndaba) also have diabetes.
Sophie had faced a lot of criticism because of her condition. People have accused her of having HIV or terminal cancer. The 'Lockdown' star has even been the victim of a death hoax.
"Living with Diabetes doesn't mean my life must stop. It means I will fight to live and encourage those who already are suffering from this deadly disease. Help others prevent it," she wrote on Instagram.