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Our story and why this is so personal to us. 

Phoebe our daughter/ granddaughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January at just 21 months old. It came as a massive shock to us as she had been ill for 3 weeks with doctors at first thinking she had a virus.

She had lost a lot of weight and was very lethargic, she would sleep on and off most days. A simple urine test by our own GP confirmed that she had Type 1 diabetes and we were instructed to take her straight to the hospital, we were in shock, we didn't really know much about Type 1 diabetes.

The doctor advised us that this is genetic it has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle.  Phoebe spent 2 nights in the high dependency unit where she was closely monitored and put on a drip as she was in DKA (Diabetic ketoacidosis) which is a serious complication that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. The condition develops when your body can't produce enough insulin. Without enough insulin, your body begins to break down fat as fuel.

We were advised that we were very lucky to have got her into hospital before she went into a diabetic coma. Lucky for us she pulled through and after a very traumatic week in hospital she came home and our "new life" started. 

We have to check Phoebes blood sugars regularly and also calculate her carbohydrates for each meal and inject her with insulin accordingly. On an average day she will have at least 5 injections. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. In most people with type 1 diabetes, the body's own immune system which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. 

We hope that one day they will find a cure and I will do everything in my power to make sure our daughter/ granddaughter lives a normal life.

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