14 November, 2022
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - Three employees share their stories of living beyond their disease
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.1 For every person diagnosed with diabetes, there is usually a family member or carer who also ‘lives with diabetes’ every day in a support role. This means that an estimated 2.4 million Australians are affected by diabetes every day.2
We sat down with three Medtronic employees (Matthew Greig, Isaac Chambers and Isaac Mitchell) to hear more on their experiences living with Diabetes and working at Medtronic where they can are part of supporting millions of other patients across the world.
Matthew Greig is an Associate Product Specialist with the Neurosurgery business. Having worked with Medtronic for 7 years, Matthew says “when you live and breathe Diabetes every day it’s easy to be disenchanted with managing sugars. Having a great network of people to look out for you makes it so much easier.”
Pictured: Matthew Greig with partner and daughter
Q: How did you first hear about Medtronic and what made you want to work at the company?
In 2015 I suffered an injury to my leg and spent hours in the hospital recovering. During this time, I witnessed the great work that healthcare professionals were doing and felt I wanted to be a part of it. With my skillset in the sales and marketing, I looked to the Medical Devices industry and never turned back.
Over my seven years at Medtronic, I moved around and ended with the Diabetes business in Canada where I lived for a couple of years. I really enjoy working with different products at Medtronic which truly make a positive impact on patients’ lives.
Q: Being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes has not stopped you from doing the things you love. Can you tell us about some of your hobbies?
Outside work some of my hobbies include baseball, skiing, and spending time with my daughter. I’ve never let my Diabetes dictate things that I can or cannot do. Sometimes it requires a bit of planning, but I will never let it stand in my way.
Pictured: (Left) Matthew with Medtronic colleagues, (Right) Matthew with partner and daughter
Q: Can you tell us about your family and colleagues support in your journey with Type 1 Diabetes?
I am fortunate to have a supportive group of family, friends, and colleagues who are always on the lookout for me and my Diabetes. When you live and breathe it every day it’s easy to be disenchanted with managing sugars. Having a great network of people to look out for you makes it so much easier. It’s often as simple as someone letting you know you are looking a bit pale or checking you feel ok.
Earlier this year, Isaac Chambers joined Medtronic Australasia as a Graduate Clinical Research Specialist with the Clinical Research and Medical Science team. Isaac’s connection with Medtronic stems deeper as he was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2006. We caught up with Isaac to find out more about his Graduate experience working at Medtronic, and his motivation to pursue a career in the Clinical Research field.
Pictured: (Left) Isaac Chambers in hospital (middle) Isaac and his mother
Q: How did you first hear about Medtronic? How has your Graduate experience been with the team?
I was first diagnosed with Diabetes when I was 9 years old by my mother who has been a nurse for most of her life. She knew straight away what was happening to me and she knew how hard life was going to become for her nine-year-old boy. However, I’ve always wanted to have a job in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and seeing my mum’s a nurse and my dad was a biology teacher, Diabetes has always felt like the obvious route to go down to pursue a career.
At university, I fell in love with clinical research and when I came across an advertisement for a Graduate role as a Clinical Research Specialist at Medtronic, I jumped at the opportunity. When I got the call that I’d got the job, I was so excited I called up almost everyone I knew! I’m still learning so much all the time, and I don’t expect that will stop anytime soon. Working at Medtronic has given me the chance to pursue both my passions, clinical research and Diabetes. Everyone in the team has been supportive and helpful from day one, I couldn’t have asked for a better team of people to work with.
Pictured: Isaac with his mother (top right), Isaac with team (bottom right)
Q: Being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes has not stopped you from doing the things you love. Can you tell us about some of your hobbies?
I’ve always enjoyed bushwalking, but there was a danger of a young diabetic strolling off into the bush, with zero phone reception. I am always prepared and have my family and friends on speed dial as they have been a huge help in supporting me to pursue my goals and hobbies.
Isaac Mitchell is a Clinical Specialist with the Diabetes team. Having worked with Medtronic for over two years, Isaac shares his experience on travelling and working with a company that alleviates pain, restores health and extends life for people across the world.
Q: How did you first hear about Medtronic and what made you want to work at the company?
I feel great sharing the gift of technology through my role and seeing the results in our patients. Through my role, I have the opportunity to show people what technology can do to help improve their health and give them back the control they have lost, that is empowering and immensely rewarding.
Q: Being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes has not stopped you from doing the things you love. Can you tell us about some of your hobbies?
I was 8 years old when I was diagnosed with T1D. In my twenties I realised my Diabetes was holding me back mentally from my studies and physically from my fitness goals. I trained harder than ever and motivated myself to live life beyond my condition.
I love to travel! Diabetes has never stopped me from going around the world and pursuing my passions.
Q: Can you tell us about your family and colleague’s support in your journey with Type 1 Diabetes?
The Diabetes team is like a family. With a lot of my colleagues living the same journey as I am, it’s refreshing to have people who can empathise and offer guidance to not just living with the condition but also how to manage my professional life too.
Pictured: (Left) Isaac wakeboarding (right) Isaac in his travels to Delhi, India
Q: How does Medtronic support employees with their patient journey? Do you know what resources or services are available?
Medtronic attracts many people who have also faced diabetes and other chronic illness in their lives. Whilst I have my healthcare team outside of Medtronic we have a rich culture of very knowledgeable people who I can lean on for general life advice and insight to improve my health.