I’m an Invercargill City Councillor and Access Radio Station Manager – and a Type 1 diabetic using a Libre sensor and connecting to my mobile via a MiaoMiao.

I’ve been living with diabetes for more than 13 years, and it’s only been in the past 6 months with regular use of my CGM and additional connectivity that I’ve finally managed to get my levels under control.

Living with diabetes is like walking a tightrope: You’re constantly adjusting your balance. To do that quickly, easily and discreetly means I’m working on it every half hour at least, rather than three or four times a day, and I feel better for it. I know the long term effects for me medically are far less risky thanks to my CGM. Not having it funded has meant belt-tightening elsewhere, and our family has two Type 1 diabetics, so double the expense.

We just want to be the healthiest people we can be and lessen the burden on our families – mentally and financially.