Hi, I’m Fomekong Christine Shella from Cameroon. I’m 27 years old, hold a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Psychology, and have been living with type 1 diabetes for 16 years. My experience has been challenging—for both me and my family—but together we have learnt resilience and strength.
As a Young Leader in Diabetes, I’m passionate about educating people with diabetes and the wider community about what diabetes is, and challenging the discrimination and stigma that often comes with it—challenges I personally faced when I was first diagnosed. I also aim to support those living with diabetes in dealing with the mental and emotional stress that often accompanies the condition.
A passion project of mine is a Facebook page I co-created with a friend, which provides education on diabetes and serves as a supportive community for people living with the condition. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing and listening to music.
In Cameroon over 800,000 of adults are living with diabetes and about 53 % of those affected are undiagnosed, meaning over a million people may be living with the condition unknowingly. Type 1 diabetes—like mine—is less common but equally important to understand and support. Around 5,500 children and adolescents live with type 1 diabetes and 29,000 adults.
These realities—high prevalence, undiagnosed cases and social stigma—fuel my belief that through shared knowledge, open conversations and empathy, we can transform the way diabetes is understood and experienced in my country.
“I have been living with type 1 diabetes for 16 years. My experience has been challenging—for both me and my family—but together we have learnt resilience and strength.”