As part of the Global Week for Action on NCDs, we are sharing the lived experiences of people in St. Kitts and Nevis to highlight both the challenges and the strength of those living with non-communicable diseases. In this story, one man reflects on more than three decades of living with diabetes, the lifestyle changes he has made, and the major health challenges he has faced — including a below-knee amputation. His journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support, information, and determination, living with an NCD does not mean the end of your future.
I discovered I was diabetic in 1991, and it has now been almost 34 years. My eating pattern was one that affected my health. I used to drink alcohol, Supligen, eat lots of fatty foods, and drink many sweet beverages, not realising that I would be diagnosed with diabetes.
In 2023, I had a right below-knee amputation because my toes had deteriorated down to the bone. However, I managed to purchase a prosthesis, improve my diet, do my routine labs, attend my eye screenings and regular check-ups at my district health centre, and continue to take my medications.
Thanks to the services offered at the health centre, with the nurses and doctors who provide me with the necessary health information, I am able to live a day longer. Having diabetes does not mean it is the end of your future
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