A #dedocº voice reflection: From Mauritius to Montréal - When Compassion Becomes Influence

Living Both Sides of Diabetes 

For the past twenty years, I have helped build T1 Diams, a small NGO in Mauritius supporting children, adolescents, and adults living with type 1 diabetes. But at ISPAD 2025, I was not speaking as a co-founder. I was there first as a father of a 22-year-old living with type 1 diabetes, and as someone living with type 2 diabetes myself. 

I had been invited by ISPAD as a speaker, and at the same time, I received a #dedoc° scholarship to attend the conference virtually. Since I was already travelling to Montréal, I was warmly welcomed to join all in-person activities as one of the #dedocº voices, the global community amplifying the lived experiences of people with diabetes. 

Walking into ISPAD this year, I carried not only my professional responsibilities, but also the truth of lived experience — my son’s and my own. 

A Smile That Changed Everything 

When I walked into the #dedocº gathering for the first time, I was welcomed by Ana’s warm, sweet smile. It instantly erased the usual distance you feel when entering a new space. 

There were people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds whom I had never met before, yet within minutes I felt something deeply familiar: the shared reality of living with diabetes, or loving someone who does. 

What began as a room of strangers quickly became a community, a source of encouragement, connection, and inspiration. It reminded me that no matter where we come from, diabetes creates a silent bridge between us. 

A Moment of Quiet Emotion 

During my time in Montréal, something unexpected — and deeply moving — happened. 

Through the invitation extended to #dedoc°, I was welcomed to join a small gathering organised by Children with Diabetes. There, in a quiet and intimate moment, Jeff Hitchcock, the founder of Children with Diabetes, handed me a medal on behalf of my son, recognising his long and courageous journey living with type 1 diabetes. 

There was no stage, no announcement, no spotlight. Just a simple gesture filled with humanity and understanding. 

As a father, it touched me deeply. For a brief moment, it felt as though the world had paused to acknowledge not only my son’s strength, but the strength of every young person facing diabetes one day at a time. 

From Compassion to Policy: The “Steps of Influence” 

My presentation at ISPAD was titled “From Compassion to Policy”, but in truth, the journey of T1 Diams starts even earlier: with Experience. 

This became the foundation of what we now call the Steps of Influence Framework: 

• Experience – Understanding the everyday realities of people living with diabetes. 

• Compassion – Listening deeply and responding with humanity. 

• Structure – Transforming care into organised, consistent support. 

• Evidence – Collecting credible data to understand what truly works. 

• Policy – Turning lessons into long-term change for equity and access. 

It is a pathway that begins with lived experience and evolves into long-term sustainable systems. A reminder that compassion becomes powerful when paired with structure and credibility. And that even a small organisation on a small island can influence the evolution of diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries. 

The Power of #dedoc°

Being a #dedocº voice at ISPAD meant representing the people whose stories too often go unheard: families, young adults, and individuals navigating the realities of life with diabetes. 

During the #dedocº activities, I felt a profound sense of belonging — a combination of shared humour, shared challenges, and shared hope. People I had never met before encouraged me, supported me, connected with me as if we had known one another for years. 

It reminded me that advocacy is not only about influencing systems. It is also about connecting people. About making sure nobody walks this journey alone.

From a Small Island to a Global Circle

At ISPAD 2025, I realised something essential: influence does not require size, wealth, or power. 

It requires authenticity, credibility, and heart. 

Mauritius is a small island, but our voice is now carried by families, healthcare professionals, community workers, young people, and global networks like #dedoc° that believe in amplifying lived experience. 

For this, I am profoundly grateful.