Lived Experience Stories

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 23, while already living with the effects of polio, Hari’s journey has been marked by self-stigma, repeated hospitalisations, and the crushing weight of high out-of-pocket expenses for treatment. Daily insulin injections were difficult, and a lack of awareness often meant he had to fight alone for the care he needed.
With support from social welfare organisations and the diabetes community, Hari turned struggle into strength. Today, he is a motivational speaker, a cricket player, and a marathon runner, showing what is possible when people living with chronic conditions are given support and opportunity. His dream is for no child to go without insulin, and for families to have access to basic diabetes education so that no one has to endure the hardships he faced.

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 25, Rekha’s early years were filled with personal struggle, self-stigma, and the burden of managing the condition. Instead of being defined by these challenges, she chose to transform them into action.
Leaving her government job in Uttarakhand, Rekha founded the Uttarakhand Diabetes Awareness Initiative (UDAI), a community that now supports more than 500 people living with T1D. From securing insulin access in remote Himalayan villages to partnering with the government on pilot projects to spreading awareness in schools and communities, her work is rewriting what care and support can look like.
Rekha’s resilience has turned lived experience into a movement for change, one rooted in equity, awareness, and the right to health for all.

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 15, Amrita chose not to see her condition as a limitation. With discipline, positivity, and determination, she turned her journey into one of strength and purpose.
Today, she is a Yoga Instructor and Diabetes Educator at the Yog Dhyan Foundation in New Delhi, where she supports more than 800 children living with T1D. For them, Amrita is not just a teacher but a role model, showing that resilience, balance, and self-belief can transform life with diabetes into a story of empowerment.

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 21, Jyotsana’s early days were filled with isolation, stigma, and fear. Instead of letting silence define her, she transformed her lived experience into empowerment and action.
She co-founded Diabetes India Youth in Action (DIYA) and created DiaBeatStigma—India’s first initiative dedicated to breaking myths and tackling stigma around diabetes.
From training health workers in rural communities to representing India on global platforms, Jyotsana has become one of the most powerful voices in diabetes advocacy. Her journey shows how one story, when shared with courage, can spark collective change

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 13, Bhumika’s teenage years were filled with challenges of stigma, repeated hospital visits, and the constant demands of care. Instead of letting these barriers hold her back, she chose resilience and determination as her path forward.
She went on to pursue higher education, clear the CFA program, and build a successful career in real estate private equity. Today, as an Acquisition Associate at an International firm, she continues to dream big, not just for herself, but for the T1D community.
Bhumika’s story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis is not an ending, but a beginning - one that can be shaped by strength, ambition, and possibility

Diagnosed first with Gestational Diabetes at 28, followed by LADA and later Type 1, Riddhi has lived with three different forms of diabetes over two decades. Her journey—from denial and social isolation to acceptance and balance—has been marked by extraordinary strength and discipline.
Today, Riddhi is a Certified Diabetes Educator and Global Advocate who blends fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being into a life of purpose. From leading India’s first #InjectAnywhere campaign to moderating more than 45 virtual education sessions, she continues to empower the community through awareness, advocacy, and action.
For Riddhi, Type 1 Diabetes is not a limitation but a way of life that fuels consistency, courage, and connection.

At just 14, when Type 1 Diabetes threatened to end his table tennis career, Ayush chose grit over fear. With discipline and focus, he trained harder than ever —transforming what seemed like an obstacle into his greatest motivation.
Today, Ayush is a 7-time State Champion from C Chhattisgarh, has represented India in over 30 national tournaments, and continues to inspire others as the Founder of Achiever’s Table Tennis Academy. His passion for coaching and fitness reflects his belief that sport and diabetes can coexist with dedication and balance.
Ayush’s story stands as proof that resilience, not restriction, defines success.

At 15, Nishant Amin was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes—just as he was beginning his culinary journey. Today, he’s an award-winning pastry chef and owner of a micro-bakery in Mumbai, crafting sourdoughs, desserts, and chocolates that delight and educate in equal measure.
Despite the challenges of living surrounded by sugar, Nishant never backed down. His creativity and discipline have earned him international recognition, including representing Canada at the World Chocolate Masters in Paris. Through his work, he challenges stereotypes and shows that passion and perseverance can sweetly coexist.
Nishant’s life is a celebration of artistry, resilience, a nd the belief that no dream is too delicate to pursue.

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just 6, Aishwarya found strength and self-expression through dance. A trained Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi performer, she channels rhythm, grace, and resilience into every movement.
Her journey has been guided by her mother’s unwavering support and the friendships she’s built within the T1D community. Despite the daily challenges of managing diabetes, Aishwarya’s positivity lights up every room she enters.
For Aishwarya, living beyond Type 1 means moving through life with confidence, compassion, and an unbreakable smile.

For Dr. Mohini Kamble, Type 1 Diabetes became both a challenge and a calling. Diagnosed at 12, she fought through financial hardships and societal doubts to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor.
Today, she serves children and families in rural India, bringing care and awareness to communities where access to insulin and education remains limited. Her story is one of courage, persistence, and purpose— proof that no diagnosis can dim determination.
Dr. Mohini’s journey reflects the true spirit of service: to rise and to help others rise with you.

Kamlesh’s story began with pain and poverty—but never defeat. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a child, he battled illness, stigma, and violence at home. Through the care and compassion of UDAAN, he found healing, hope, and a purpose greater than himself.
From frequent hospital admissions to becoming a diabetes educator and global advocate, Kamlesh transformed his struggles into strength. Today, he prepares for civil services exams, determined to represent the voices of India’s rural youth.
Kamlesh’s journey is one of pure courage—proof that resilience can turn suffering into strength.

Music is Sagar’s heartbeat. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2015, he learned to balance strict glucose management with the art of singing and guitar performance—proving that discipline and creativity can harmonize beautifully.
Now pursuing advanced studies in music, Sagar has won multiple state and district awards and uses his platform to raise awareness about Type 1 Diabetes. Each performance is not just about melody—it’s a message of hope and perseverance.
Sagar’s story shows that when passion meets purpose, even the toughest battles can find their rhythm.

Samruddhi’s journey with Type 1 Diabetes is one of grace, movement, and meaning. A dancer and choreographer, she transforms her experience into art, showing that creativity transcends every medical boundary.
Through her advocacy with UDAAN and her work as an educator, Samruddhi continues to inspire young people to embrace discipline, self-care, and joy. For her, dance is more than performance—it’s freedom, healing, and hope in motion.
Samruddhi lives and breathes the essence of “Beyond Type 1,” proving that life’s rhythm never stops—it simply finds a new beat