Hi, my name is Julie Harbord and I have taken on the role of Lady Captain at Gorleston Golf Club. It is a great honour to be asked to do this role for 2023/2024, and the charity I have chosen is the Paediatric
Diabetes Department within the James Paget University Hospital.

At the age of 14 years old, my nephew, Jake Crickmore, was very poorly and was taken to James Paget Hospital. Jake had been suffering for a long time prior to being admitted, with his symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, sudden weight loss, extreme weakness, and changes to his sense of taste and smell. At the time, Jake and all our family had no idea what was happening to him which, as you can imagine, was a very worrying and concerning time for all of us. It was certainly a stressful and uncertain time for everybody, especially Jake.

The doctors and nurses did lots of tests to see what was causing Jake’s issues. Due to the severity of his symptoms, he needed urgent medical attention and, by this stage, could have gone into a dangerous, life threatening diabetic related coma at any time! This was a very uncertain, scary time for Jake, and, due to the worry, resulted in many sleepless nights for all our family. If you have ever
been in this situation, I’m sure you will be able to relate. Again, the doctors and nurses did an amazing job, and, within a few weeks, Jake was starting to recover. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes, a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, bless him. As we were all uncertain how Jake would cope with his condition, which he was going to have for the rest of his life, we all had to be strong and get through the situation together and help him!

A few words from Jake with how he felt at the time, and how he feels now.

“Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has impacted my life the way I thought it would. Initially being diagnosed as a teenager, of course a rush of emotions set in when doctors explained for the first time that it is a “lifelong illness.”

Since being diabetic for roughly 9 years, you soon come to realise that the tough times never last. Through my own personal experience, the toughest part was acceptance, however, when you manage to get over that hurdle, it then makes the routine of blood testing and insulin injecting much easier when recognising the importance of looking after your health.

When I was diagnosed, the support system given to teens/kids in my position by the Paediatrics Diabetes Department at the JPUH had, and still has, an abundance of support networks to give encouragement and support with adjusting to the process mentally and giving reassurance as it is not as bad as you think.”

Jake is now 24 years old, and you would never know that he has this chronic condition, he copes with it very well. This is all thanks to the Paediatrics Department at the James Paget Hospital and the attention he received from all the staff members within the paediatrics diabetes team. I would love to be able to contribute and raise funds for this outstanding local department, as my family and I cannot thank them enough. There are not enough words to express our gratitude for the amazing work they provide to all the local children that need help with being diagnosed at such a youthful age, and it would make my day if I can put a little something back into the children’s department where Jake was under supervision. He was looked after with care, understanding and helpfulness, and their attention to detail was amazing. He had weekly / monthly home visits from the team within the Children’s Diabetes department, and I do not think he would be where he is now, coping so well with his type 1 diabetes, without them!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.