Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis: 'The possibility of being diabetic never came into my head'

Up to 300,000 people are living with diabetes in Ireland. According to recent research, many believe there is stigma associated with their condition

Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis, at Athlunkard Rowing Club, Limerick City, is highlighting the impact of diabetes on young people, particularly those who are involved in sport. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Irish rowing champion Aoife Willis was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20 after returning home from a summer in the States. Aware that something was not right during her travels but carrying on anyway, her health deteriorated once she came back home, and she was hospitalised.

“The possibility of being diabetic never came into my head before my diagnosis. Some of the symptoms, like excessive thirst, were there, but my diagnosis was unexpected,” says the 31-year-old Limerick native.