What handbag do you wear when you’re already wearing your diabetes equipment?
We’re living in a pretty nifty era of diabetes technology. CGMs (continuous glucose monitors) give us a steady stream of blood glucose readings, while insulin pumps deliver tiny doses of insulin throughout the day. Both have transformed how many of us manage diabetes.
But there’s a catch.
I’ve just come off a run of five back-to-back CGM failures – all while I was away from home. Thankfully, I had my blood glucose meter with me each time. Without it, I would have spent the day without any idea what my blood sugar was doing, which feels a bit like driving blind.
Even when your diabetes tech is attached to you, you still need to carry the backup plan.
In theory, a CGM means fewer finger pricks, and a pump means less need to carry insulin pens around. In practice? Things malfunction. Sensors fail. Pumps need changing. And sometimes you just want to know you have what you need close by.
Keeping back-ups on hand without feeling like I was carrying the kitchen sink is one of the major reasons I got so interested in redesigning bags and cases for diabetes supplies (more on that here).
So what does a diabetes handbag for CGMs need to do? For me, it needs enough room for my trusty blood testing kit in case something goes awry. That's why I think the best diabetes handbag for a CGM user isn't necessarily the smallest one. It's the one that makes room for the back-up plan.
The same goes for insulin pumps. A diabetes handbag for pumps needs space for spare pump sites, consumables and back-up insulin pens – just in case.
We created SideKYT+ to bridge the gap between the tech we wear, and the diabetes equipment we still need to carry. It’s our largest and most flexible style, with room for back-up testing kits, pump supplies, insulin pens, snacks and hypo treatments. Take a closer look at SideKYT+ here.
I love seeing the different ways people make SideKYT+ work for them. Some carry fewer insulin pens and use the loops for actual pens, or for hypo treatments like Mentos. Others use the extra pockets for medication, inhalers or whatever else they need to keep close, visible and organised.
And, you know, look chic while staying ready for anything.
Not sure whether SideKYT+, SideKYT or StarterKYT is the better fit for the diabetes supplies you carry? I've broken down the differences here.
Bridget xx
Designer & Diabetic
