Life with Type 1 Diabetes

As part of #worlddiabetes day, today I thought I would share a parents perspective caring for a child with #type1Diabetes to share some of the anxieties and positive aspects of what life is like with our new “friend” #type1diabetes.

FYI - This photo is the only recent picture I could find where we all look half decent!

I am mum to Tahlia aged 7 who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on Christmas Day 2017.

The condition affects her both emotionally and physically; food, exercise, her eyesight, her mood, when we travel, when she gets sick, going to friend’s parties, or when someone kindly offers her a sweet.

The diabetes bag has to be with her at all times and when we forget it, we (mum and dad) have a mild panic attack!!

At the end of the school day we ask, “how was your day?” but loaded in that question is “ARE YOU OK? HOW DO YOU FEEL? DID YOU HAVE ANY HYPOS or HIGHS?

For those of you with more than 1 child, we have 3, the other children often have to march TO the beat of diabetes. If Tahlia is high or low, we have to delay dinner and snacks, and my other 2 children lovingly show patience and do not complain.

With more than one child, your attention is split at the best of times, but during diabetic highs and lows, caring for Tahlia comes first. Even if it only requires a couple of minutes to issue a correction - to your other children who come running in the room to share something exciting, that couple of minutes is just enough time for them to say, “actually, don’t worry, you’re busy” ?.

I always dread going to appointments, because I dread the HbA1c test!

In my head, I'm thinking, if it’s is too high, all eyes are on us (mum and dad)

• Is it our fault?
• Are we not managing this condition correctly?

A LOT of tears have been shed prior to and after appointments.

When her HbA1c levels have been too high, I have felt like a bad parent and that is tough and upsetting.  

BUT it’s not all doom and gloom. I promise ??

• We have support from professionals, friends, our family and the school.
• We are part of a community when we need them – Thank you to The Paula Carr Trust!
• My husband and I have always been a good team but learning how to manage diabetes I feel has made us rock solid and are always there for each other during the difficult times when levels are all over the place.
• We have the tech – Thank you @dexcom  and @omnipod
• The condition has increased our knowledge of nutrition and what our bodies need to thrive
•  And for Tahlia… she just gets on with it and just gets on with her life. She doesn’t cry and she doesn’t complain (too much ??).

However, I am fully aware that not everyone is in this position.

We are the lucky ones and I am so grateful for the NHS and the support we have and because of this, it is my absolute pleasure to donate money monthly to Diabetes UK to help fund pioneering research in care, treatment and the prevention of diabetes so that one day, we can find a cure