Hello! I’m Sofia Lima from Brazil. I’m 19 years old and have been living with type 1 diabetes since I was 4. This experience has shaped how I see the world and inspired me to support others living with the same condition. Through the ups and downs, I’ve learned resilience and recognised how important it is to educate and encourage those managing diabetes.
In Brazil, an estimated 16.7 million people are living with diabetes. Among them, around 99,000 children and adolescents live with type 1 diabetes. With one of the highest rates of diabetes-related health expenditure in Latin America, Brazil faces an urgent need for better education, access, and support.
I’m currently a member of ADJ Diabetes Brazil, where I participate in initiatives to raise awareness and provide support to people living with diabetes. I also volunteer in programmes focused on health education and community outreach. I’m studying geological engineering in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, and I’m part of a speleology group at university—an experience that keeps me active, curious, and connected to others.
As a Young Leader in Diabetes, I want to keep raising awareness, challenging stigma, and helping build a more supportive environment for people with diabetes in Brazil and beyond.
“I’m 19 years old and have been living with type 1 diabetes since I was 4. This experience has shaped how I see the world and inspired me to support others living with the same condition. Through the ups and downs, I’ve learned resilience and recognised how important it is to educate and encourage those managing diabetes.”
