Blog - Warrior Stories
Giving Youths With Type 1 Diabetes a Voice: Meet Dexcom Warrior Lochlan
Having started his own charity at the tender age of 11, learn how Dexcom Warrior Lochlan is helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma and giving a voice to young people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Learn more about his story and how he’s cementing his legacy as a champion for youths.
Meet young diabetes activist, Dexcom Warrior Lochlan*
With his message of T1D DOESN’T STOP ME, 14-year-old Warrior Lochlan is giving a voice to youths living with type 1 diabetes. After breaking his leg at the age of 9 and struggling with his mental health, he quickly recognised that there’s a lack of understanding and representation around the condition - particularly for young people and those trying to excel in sports. He hosted a stadium marathon to raise awareness and shortly thereafter started his own charity, Lochlan’s Legacy.
Since then, he’s become an iWill Ambassador and created a CPD Accredited course to educate couches about young athletes with T1D and what they’re capable of. Now backed by the Young Start fund, he plans to host roadshows around his hometown for youths to come together to discuss all things T1D.
1. When and how were you diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?
I was diagnosed at age 4, one week after starting Primary school. All symptoms were evident, but we had no idea that it was type 1 diabetes. We handed a sample of urine to my doctor as we thought it was a possible urine infection and within 20 minutes, we were on our way to Crosshouse Hospital.
2. Do you remember a time that you felt ‘different’ to other children?
I was lucky as I had another boy in my class who had type 1 diabetes so that made it a bit easier. I have had some struggles with my mental health over the years and this is absolutely when I felt different. I was isolated, alone and didn’t think anyone would understand. I was always told I was so lucky because I had experiences through my charity work that other people didn’t get. I was 9 years old and I couldn’t understand this. I knew I was lucky, but I was trying to do good things and make a difference.
3. Do you feel like they’re a lot of stereotypes or misconceptions about people living with diabetes (particularly young people)?
100% ! This was one of the main reasons for trying to raise awareness and understanding of type 1 diabetes through my charity, Lochlan’s Legacy. I want to reduce stigma as this leads to barriers being in place. It is also really important that more people have an understanding as a better support network is essential.
4. Do you feel like having diabetes has ever held you back? (or do you use it as a source of motivation)?
I use my type 1 diabetes (T1D) as motivation. I can’t lie, it does stop me in my tracks sometimes and that can be frustrating. During the time of my leg break and during the second lockdown, I let my T1D get to me. These were low points. I can’t guarantee that I won’t feel like this again, but I try to say T1D DOESN’T STOP ME. I do believe that with that attitude and having good support that it’s true. It is difficult, never getting a break is so hard but technology is definitely helping me.
5. Since you grew up with diabetes, has managing the condition always felt like second nature or do you find it challenging?
Sometimes it can be challenging, especially when my blood sugars levels are not doing what I want them to do. It can be hard to deal with days when everything is all over the place, but if you know you are trying your best, then days like that are ok. I get frustrated with hypos when I’m playing football or at PE. It is just part of who I am though, so I just do my best to get on with it.
6. At what age did you start to more independently managing your diabetes? Was it hard to transition?
My mum and dad have always helped me and still do but have always encouraged me to take an interest in my T1D and understand the importance of trying to do the best I can. Starting Secondary school really made me take control of my diabetes as I no longer had my CA from Primary school to support me. I was completely on my own with no support from school, so I had to do it. I think that was the point where I made the transition of relying on others to doing much more for myself.
6. At what age did you start to more independently managing your diabetes? Was it hard to transition?
My mum and dad have always helped me and still do but have always encouraged me to take an interest in my T1D and understand the importance of trying to do the best I can. Starting Secondary school really made me take control of my diabetes as I no longer had my CA from Primary school to support me. I was completely on my own with no support from school, so I had to do it. I think that was the point where I made the transition of relying on others to doing much more for myself.
7. Do you feel they’re enough diabetes resources out there for children and teenagers that speak to them directly?
Absolutely not. It is one of my passions and, as a new iWill Ambassador, I am determined to allow a platform for Youth Voice and Social Action. Young people need to be heard and be allowed to have more information on the management provided. My T1D and ME-Giving Youth A Voice Group are determined to make a difference for T1D Youth Voice.
8. What made you decide to start raising money to help other children with diabetes? How did you do this?
I broke my leg playing football age 9. I really struggled with my mental health, and it impacted my T1D. I decided that I wanted to do a charity event to raise awareness as I needed help and I found it really hard to get.
My event was called Lochlan’s Stadium Marathon. I walked 28 miles in 4 days around all the Premiership Football Stadiums, Hampden Park and Townhead Park in Scotland (2 miles at each). This was less that a year after breaking my leg and 4 months after the last operation I had on my knee. It was incredible to do this, see all the stadiums and have the support of Scottish Football. It was very tiring, but it was incredible!
9. During the covid lockdown, you started your own charity, Lochlan’s Legacy. Why did you decide to start it?
I had the idea of starting Lochlan’s Legacy on the train home after being at 10 Downing Street to meet Theresa May. I met Dr Naresh Kanumilli and he encouraged me to keep going after my stadium marathon as lots of people were watching me and my story. So that’s when I said to my mum, I want to start my own charity. I was only 10 at the time, so I knew it would be hard work. My mum helped put everything in place but, when Covid hit, it stopped everything.
We had to wait until October of 2020 to become registered, but I managed to have the time to develop lots of material and partnerships during lockdown so that we could start straight away when we became registered with OSCR. The pandemic was difficult for everyone, but I knew I had to keep going with my idea as I knew that what I wanted to do was essential.
10. What does your charity represent or aim to do? What is its message?
My charity is all about raising awareness and understanding of type 1 diabetes, breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, building a strong youth community and voice. I want all sports coaches to access our Basic Awareness and Understanding of Type 1 Diabetes Course so that no young person or parent is afraid to play sport because a coach might not understand.
I want coaches to have this knowledge as part of their coaching badges. I also want to support young people living with type 1 diabetes who play sport and help coaches to allow that young person to achieve all they can. My message is clear T1D DOESN’T STOP ME, but I need a team around me to help me achieve all I can!
11. What is your best achievement so far related to your charity?
I think the biggest achievement so far is having my coaches course become CPD Accredited and been delivered to over 60 coaches so far. I also think coordinating 5 van loads of equipment to be sent to Ukraine and surrounding areas has been a massive achievement too.
12. What do you plan to do now that you’ve been sponsored by the Young Start fund?
The plan is for the T1D and ME-Giving Youth A Voice group to engage with all young people in full time secondary education in Ayrshire. This will allow us to build up information on the needs and wants of youth voice then target the correct group to engage in further information gathering before hosting roadshows for young people to come together to discuss all things T1D. We cannot wait to promote youth voice and see what comes from it.
13. What will your roadshows entail and what do you hope they’ll accomplish?
The roadshows are a place for young people who live with type 1 diabetes, peers, partners, siblings and children of others living with T1D to give them an opportunity to come together, learn, engage, build working parties, voice opinions, knowledge and be a free space to chat. It is about building a youth community.
14. What is your dream in terms of your charity. What do you hope to achieve in the future?
My dream is to have all sports coaches receive my basic awareness certificate, have a strong youth voice that can drive change and feel empowered, reduce stigma for people like me who live with T1D and to feel supported and understood.
I want Lochlan’s Legacy to be seen to be making a difference in the world. I want us to be able to visit schools and have interactive sessions for young people, I want my charity to be inclusive and a place people feel that they want to be part of something that is truly making a difference. That is my dream!
15. Do you have any final thoughts or a message for young people living with diabetes?
Living with type 1 diabetes is hard work. I know we all try to hide the fact that it is, but it’s ok to say it’s tough. T1D shouldn’t stand in the way of you achieving anything you want to achieve. Just surround yourself with good people and you can achieve anything you want.
Do you want to become a Dexcom Warrior, like Lochlan?
The Dexcom Warrior programme is designed to help spread the message of strength and optimism for people living with diabetes. Warriors include thousands of people all over the world who are inspiring others by living their best lives and sharing their stories about their personal experiences.
* Warrior Lochlan is a sponsored spokesperson for Dexcom.