Diabetes

Growing With Type 1 Diabetes

I cannot believe it is 4 years since Jack was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, wow time has flown and so much has changed. When we came home from hospital with our 11-year-old son and a bag full of needles and insulin we had no idea what lay ahead. All that uncertainty, would Jack be poorly?  Would he cope mentally?  Would we cope as a family?

Screen Shot 2015-09-01 at 22.48.56I wish there was such an invention as a crystal ball, because had I had that luxury I would have seen that it would all be fine. Not ideal, not what I would I have chosen for our child, but most definitely fine.

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10 Myths About Type 1 Diabetes

We have been asked lots of odd questions by well-meaning and kind people along our diabetes journey.  It is such a misunderstood condition, one that has all sorts of myths surrounding it. So I thought I would share a few and dispel those myths.

Diabetes

  1. Can you walk up the stairs without getting out of breath? I mean seriously? A GP once asked Jack that question when invited into our local surgery for a review. You won’t be surprised to know that after that question we only ever see Jacks wonderful diabetes team for reviews now. And he has NEVER seen that GP since.
  2. Can you have sweets? Yes Jack can eat exactly what he wants, within reason of course. The key is to maintain a healthy diet. But as long as he administers an injection and works out his carbs he can eat it.
  3. Do you have to eat diabetic chocolate? Yes he can eat it, but can also eat normal chocolate, he has to inject for both so it really doesn’t matter.
  4. Do you need to rest often? Jack is so mega active and sporty, as long as he has energy drinks he can do sport all day long. In fact there are many diabetic sports personalities and celebrities.

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