“In the first few years, there was an awful lot of denial, a lot of ignoring it, not recognizing it, and probably hiding it as well”
Living with a chronic condition requires constant vigilance, but for Catherine Brady, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes 23 years ago became the catalyst for building a supportive, empowering community.
Diagnosed at age 20 just before Christmas following rapid weight loss, extreme thirst, and fatigue, Brady recalls the initial emotional hurdle. “In the first few years, there was an awful lot of denial, a lot of ignoring it, not recognizing it, and probably hiding it as well,” she shares. Over time, she learned to manage the condition on her terms, opting to use insulin pens alongside a modern continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to balance her blood sugar within the target range of 4 to 10.
Now a dedicated Type 1 diabetes fitness coach, Brady is hosting a special event tomorrow at the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk aimed at addressing a major gap in healthcare: the intersection of female biology and diabetes management.
While around 30,000 people in Ireland live with Type 1 diabetes, fewer than 30%—approximately 9,000—are women. Brady points out that routine medical appointments rarely focus on major milestones unique to women. “We find a lot of appointments… we’re spoken to only about our diabetes,” Brady explains. “We’re not spoken to about the big things that happen in women’s lives—fertility, menopause, pregnancy, aging through the decades—and the impact that has on our Type 1 diabetes.”
Tomorrow’s fully booked event brings together 50 women to hear from expert speakers, exchange experiences, and address the daily mental load of managing a 24/7 condition. Brady emphasizes that while living with diabetes requires consistency, it shouldn’t hold anyone back, noting that dietary restriction is a common misconception since insulin can be matched to any meal.
Through her work and her Instagram page, @diabeticcatherine, Brady aims to help women thrive. Her message remains clear: “You can sit with it and let diabetes rule your life, or you can live with it and have it living alongside you.”