Ep 168 - From Patient to Partner: Why Your Voice Matters in Diabetes Care

What happens when a person living with Type 1 diabetes spends more than four decades navigating the condition—and then helps shape the future of healthcare? In this episode, I'm joined by Hanna Boëthius, patient advocate, international speaker, consultant, and person living with Type 1 diabetes for more than 41 years. Together, we explore why lived experience matters, why people with diabetes deserve a seat at the table when decisions are being made, and how healthcare can move from simply treating patients to truly partnering with them. We discuss: • What life with Type 1 diabetes looked like in the 1980s compared to today • Why patient voices belong in healthcare conversations • The difference between patient-centered care and true collaboration • How women continue to be underrepresented in research • Why diabetes management must be individualized • The challenges and opportunities of diabetes technology and data • The role of peer support and community • How to advocate for yourself during medical appointments • Why "Nothing About Us Without Us" is more important than ever Whether you've lived with diabetes for decades or are newly diagnosed, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your experience matters, your voice matters, and you deserve to be an active partner in your care.   Connect with Hanna Boethius: IG @hannadiabetesexpert   Connect with Melissa Slemp:   Follow on: Instagram Tik Tok YouTube Linkedin   Check out Melissa's website   Purchase Melissa's book, Highs, Lows, & Hormones   Connect with other like-minded women in a supportive group coaching community: Type 1 In Midlife Coaching Circle   Visit diabetessisters.org to join. It's free, easy to use, and a great place to find community and support.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.