About Me
My name is Rachel Smith and I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for 25 years.
I studied medicine at Queen’s University Belfast and completed my foundation medical training in Glasgow, before moving to Melbourne last year where I am living and working as a doctor.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which results in my body being unable to produce a hormone called insulin, meaning it can no longer regulate blood sugar levels.
As a result, people living with type 1 diabetes have to administer insulin (either via injection or insulin pump) and check blood sugar levels multiple times per day. I was diagnosed in 2000, just before my third birthday. For the first year, I was on a very strict insulin regimen meaning I could only eat certain amounts of food at certain times of the day.
I subsequently was the first child in Northern Ireland to use the insulin pump in 2001, which made a huge difference to my quality of life. Since then, I have lived through many medical and technological advancements which have improved dramatically over time and allowed me to live life the way I do.
Summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America, 2024
Despite the additional challenges of type 1 diabetes, I have always lead a very active lifestyle.
My love for hiking began at a young age, always eager to get out to the local mountains, the Mournes, whenever I could. I completed local challenges such as the Mourne Wall Challenge, which encompasses a 19 mile/33 km loop around the Mournes and summiting 15 peaks.
My introduction to high altitude mountaineering began at 19 years old, when I reached the summit of Kilimanjaro in Africa. I loved the physical and mental challenge of pushing myself over multiple days and learned how my body and diabetes management coped with the demands of altitude. I knew I had caught the mountain bug! I then went to the Nepalese Himalayas to summit my first 6000m peak Lobuche East and reach Everest Base Camp.
With my Insulin pump set on Aconcagua
This was followed by Aconcagua (6961m, the highest mountain in South America and tallest mountain in the world outside of Asia) and Kosciuszko (2228m, the highest mountain in Australia), which also make up part of the seven summit challenge. Between these bigger peaks, I have hiked and mountaineered in Ireland, the UK, and other parts of Europe.
To prepare for Mount Vinson, I will be building up my strength and endurance in the gym, running, and local hills. I have reduced my working hours to dedicate as much time as possible to expedition preparation.
I am extremely passionate about the success of this project and grateful for anyone who decides to join me on this journey. I look forward to navigating the challenges and celebrating the wins in the next coming months.
On the summit of Kilimanjaro