Fundraising as a Family over Fifty Kilometres

When twelve-year-old Meabh started Year 7, her parents, Madeline and Derek, noticed a few subtle, seemingly unrelated changes in her. At first, it seemed like growing pains, and she was a little more tired than usual. Her parents put it down to starting high school. 

"We put a lot of it down to just that transition. Growing and changing,” Madeline says, "and, you know, now that we look back, it was all of the signs of type 1 diabetes onset.” 

“She was more fatigued than usual, overly thirsty, and needing frequent trips to the bathroom.” 

The Early Signs 

Given Meabh was going to the bathroom more regularly, her mum suspected a urinary tract infection (UTI). Madeline, a nurse and midwife, booked a GP appointment. Yet, the night before, she almost cancelled it. After discussing Meabh’s symptoms with her physiotherapist, Madeline wondered if it was just an overactive bladder and almost convinced herself that visiting the doctor wasn't necessary. 

But something still wasn’t sitting right. 

Listening to her gut, she decided to keep the appointment just to rule out anything sinister. A decision that proved life-changing. 

What was meant to be a quick check-up for a UTI quickly turned their world on its head. The urine test indicated high glucose levels, and a follow-up finger-prick check revealed a blood glucose level of 19 mmol/L, nearly four times the typical resting glucose level for a child without diabetes.  

Within hours, a planned night out changed into an emergency admission to the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Looking back, the family realises how close they came to a very different outcome. Just a week earlier, they had been on holiday in Fiji during a cyclone, completely unaware of how close Meabh was to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious but treatable complication of undiagnosed diabetes. 

The initial hours at RCH were a whirlwind of rapid clinical care. Meabh braved many needles and tests while her parents listened to complex medical information. 

Derek recalls the buzz in the room, but no one really wanted to say the word diabetes. “Nobody really mentioned it. No one said it out loud.” 

“And so, we were thinking, is this just like a transient thing? Is this something that will just be temporary? We were just a bit baffled by it.” 

Like many families without a direct history of type 1 diabetes, Madeline and Derek suddenly found themselves at the beginning of a steep learning curve. The immediate transition from their usual everyday family life to calculating carbohydrates, measuring and giving their child insulin, and tracking blood glucose levels felt overwhelming. 

The care from the RCH clinical team was very useful and gave much comfort to Meabh. Seeing doctors and nurses who lived with type 1 diabetes gave her an immediate visual reminder that anything was possible. Supported by the same staff, Meabh adapted quickly and was fitted with an insulin pump within two months, giving her some of her independence back. 

Embracing Peer Connections and Growing Independence 

To ensure Meabh doesn’t feel isolated, Derek and Madeline have signed her up to the next Diabetes Camps Victoria teenage camp, offering her the chance to connect with peers who share similar daily routines. 

Riding for Awareness: Supporting Diabetes Victoria 

As Meabh and her family continue to navigate the realities of type 1 diabetes, they’re determined to turn their experience into something positive. 

For Oisin, participating in a 50 km group event is a massive leap from his previous maximum ride distance of 15 km. His determination to ride for his sister is admirable. 

By sharing their story, Madeline and Derek hope to raise community awareness about the early signs of type 1 diabetes and ensure that every person living with type 1 diabetes can understand their condition and transition smoothly. 

If you’d like to support their fundraising for Diabetes Victoria and help more families like theirs, you can donate here. 

This October, Oisin and Derek’s 50 km ride isn't just a personal challenge; it’s a way to give back and support the community that helped them through their toughest days. 

Support Oisin and Derek on their ride, donate to the Diabetes Victoria team or jump in and register to ride!