If Natalie Ann Holborrow was a superhero she would most probably be called Word Girl.
The rapidly rising star of Welsh literature is certainly using her talent for good as her latest project involves writing a book about diabetes aimed at reassuring young people that the condition need not be a life sentence.
And the Swansea University creative writing MA graduate is a diabetic herself.
In fact, her poem Blood Sugar, which won her the Terry Hetherington Award, is about living with the condition.
Her new project will attempt to share the burden among her fellow diabetics.
She said: “I’m looking for fellow young people with type 1 diabetes, or older people who want to share experiences of how they felt during their teenage years, who can help with my research while I write a more light-hearted book for living with the condition.
“I feel very lucky in that I’ve made friends who also live with type 1 diabetes and I have an amazing team at Singleton Hospital who are always there when I need it, but I realise this isn’t always the case.
“During teenage years, when you can feel isolated, angry and confused as it is with exam pressure, peer pressure and moments of self-doubt, having the responsibility of living with diabetes can really push you over the edge.
“People can be judgemental due to the way diabetes is generalised and portrayed in the media and at that age, it can feel like your future is suddenly falling to pieces, darkened by headlines of terrible diabetes complications and how your life will be so much more restricted.”
The poet, who recently launched her first book of poetry, And Suddenly You Find Yourself, published by Parthian Books, just completed the Edinburgh Marathon.
She said: “I want to reach out to young people who just need something a bit more optimistic than one of those heavy textbooks and explore some issues that are more relevant at that age such as relationships, going out, how to manage insulin and blood sugars with regards to your favourite foods and how you can still achieve everything you’ve wanted to do without letting the condition define you.”
The poet, who recently launched her first book of poetry, And Suddenly You Find Yourself, published by Parthian Books, just completed the Edinburgh Marathon.
As part of the project she wants to hear from others coming to terms with diabetes.
She said: “I really need some help from others to get some different angles on the experience and am sending out interview questions for people to provide me with feedback to get the book written and give young people a bit of support when they most need it.
“So many end up suffering through depression or eating disorders as a result of the strain of living with diabetes and there needs to be more out there with a positive spin on things, to encourage young people to keep on living their lives to the full and remind them that they’re not alone. This isn’t about lecturing on what you should or shouldn’t do, eat or feel, but more about living life to the full and offering support and I always felt fed up of the negative content in health books that I plucked from the library shelves. Even though some days it’s naturally pretty tough, I want to encourage more of a ‘can-do’ attitude to those who most need it.
“All those interested can get in touch and I’ll send out a questionnaire to fill in.”
To take part email natholborow@gmail.com
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