Brett Findlay had just started a new job when he learnt he had type 1 diabetes. He figured he could manage diabetes by keeping his blood glucose levels consistently low. Then, one fateful day, he had a severe hypo. In this raw episode of Life on the Level, Brett talks about hypo unawareness, rebuilding after trauma, and the enduring strength of family.  

A surprise diagnosis in his twenties 

“Aged 24, diabetes was not the diagnosis I expected,” Brett says. “I was managing a busy hotel venue on the Gold Coast, and I thought I was simply working too hard. I went to the doctor because I knew something wasn’t right. When the doctor got my test results, he called me straight back in.”  

Over the following years, Brett chose to manage his diabetes himself, rarely consulting health professionals. He thought that by running his levels constantly low, he could stay on track.  

Developing hypo unawareness 

Brett and his family relocated to Coffs Harbour, where he joined his brother in the banking industry. While he felt like he was on top of everything, Brett had developed hypoglycaemia unawareness, a dangerous condition when you become unaware of the early warning signs of a hypo. 

In 2023, Brett was shopping with his children when he had a seizure, losing consciousness and hitting the floor so hard that he fractured his skull. While Brett has no memory of the event, his six-year-old daughter grabbed her younger brother, covering his eyes. When the paramedics arrived, she told them her dad was a type 1 diabetic.   

Traumatic brain injury: a long road back 

“I woke up in the hospital yelling at everyone,” Brett recalls. “I didn’t understand what had happened.”  

Brett spent months in the hospital and rehabilitation in Sydney. Back at home, he receives support from the local brain injury rehabilitation service. While Brett tried to return to work six months after his injury, it didn’t go well. He is currently on a career break and planning a gradual return to work.  

Finding new ways to manage life with T1D and TBI 

Brett knows his story could have turned out differently had it not been for the Australian health system, income protection and his family. He’s keen to never put his loved ones through the trauma of another severe hypo. Brett now uses a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump, aiming to keep his blood glucose levels within a healthy range.  

“I want to be sure I’m here for my wife and kids,” Brett says. “It’s taken time to build up their trust again and show them that I can manage my diabetes.”  

Tune in: Brett’s full story 

In this episode of the Life on the Level podcast, Brett shares the pivotal experiences that forced him to re-evaluate his life and health. He also highlights the positives that have come from his journey, such as having more time for socialising and volunteering as a speaker to support other brain injury survivors. His story is a stark reminder of the importance of prioritising what matters in life and the resilience of the human spirit.