Episode 128 - How we reduced future diagnosis fears for our baby with Mel Stephenson-Gray

As a young athlete, Mel Stephenson-Gray was forced to travel far and wide to get the information she needed to stand a chance of competing in her sport with type 1 diabetes.

Although she was only a teenager, and newly diagnosed herself, Mel wanted share what she’d found to ensure no-one got left behind, and set up her own peer support group with the little spare time she had between school and training.
 
A long-standing member of the advocacy community, Mel’s motivation to help others has never faltered. After retiring from athletics she retrained as a nutritionist, and now works in diabetes prevention as well as being a diabetes charity trustee - to give people the access, tools and education they need to ensure no-one gets left behind.
 
Becoming a parent has strengthened her empathy and desire to help further still. In this gorgeous hug of an episode, Mel speaks to me about the weight of constantly worrying if your baby is moments away from diagnosis, and the studies that have taken that weight off her family’s shoulders.
‘I do think it is a day-by-day kind of condition where you're just managing what's in front of you, because sometimes just a day can feel overwhelming, let alone looking years ahead. It’s ok to take your time with it.’
 
CONNECT WITH MEL:
Say hi to Mel on Instagram.

STUDIES MENTIONED:
The Innodia Study (Europe)
The ELSA Screening Study (UK)