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Eddie proudly showing his insulin pump | |
| The festive season should be a time of joy and happiness, but for children like Eddie, who is living with type 1 diabetes, the magic of Christmas is often clouded by heartache. While we all look forward to taking a break at the end of the year, there’s no holiday from diabetes; it’s a 24/7 condition that families must live with every day and night all year round. Christmas Eve should be filled with excitement and anticipation not anxiety, sleepless nights, tears and sadness. This is the reality of Christmas for many families affected by diabetes. Eddie, now aged seven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2015, at the age of just two years and nine months. For Eddie’s dad Campbell the memory is still painful. He describes it as: “A deep, sinking, sad feeling knowing that not only would this be something he and we would have to deal with for the rest of his life, but also that he wouldn’t get to experience the feeling of freedom I remember as a child.” For children like Eddie, there is no such thing as a peaceful night’s sleep, even the night before Christmas. |
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The festive season should be a time of joy and happiness, but for children like Eddie, who is living with type 1 diabetes, the magic of Christmas is often clouded by heartache. While we all look forward to taking a break at the end of the year, there’s no holiday from diabetes; it’s a 24/7 condition that families must live with every day and night all year round. Christmas Eve should be filled with excitement and anticipation not anxiety, sleepless nights, tears and sadness. This is the reality of Christmas for many families affected by diabetes. Eddie, now aged seven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2015, at the age of just two years and nine months. For Eddie’s dad Campbell the memory is still painful. He describes it as: “A deep, sinking, sad feeling knowing that not only would this be something he and we would have to deal with for the rest of his life, but also that he wouldn’t get to experience the feeling of freedom I remember as a child.” For children like Eddie, there is no such thing as a peaceful night’s sleep, even the night before Christmas. |
| Eddie proudly showing his insulin pump |
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| Leigh was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 15 years of age and has been living with the condition for 50 years. Leigh is hopeful that with the support of Diabetes Victoria we can have a brighter future for Victorians of all ages. This busy grandmother of four doesn’t let diabetes stop her from enjoying life to its fullest. While having around six to seven injections daily might not sound like everyone’s cup of tea, to Leigh it’s just part of life. While Christmas was tough in the beginning, Leigh now spends the day surrounded by her grandchildren, reminding us that, ultimately, Christmas is about love, joy and appreciating what you have. “Christmas is a special day whether you live with type 1 diabetes or not. It’s a day of sharing, laughter, joy and, since my grandchildren have arrived, the magic has returned. Luckily for those living with type 1 diabetes there are no carbs to count in happiness and love.” Leigh’s story shows just how far we have come. But sadly, we have much further to go. Currently there are more than 330,000 Victorians living with diabetes and this number rises every day. |
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| Leigh living with type 1 diabetes |
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Indiana was five and a half years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Her mother felt heartbroken by the diagnosis and overwhelmed by the complexity of the chronic condition. Recently, Indiana and her mother attended family camp organised by Diabetes Victoria at Anglesea. “Indiana loved the camp and was able to meet so many kids of similar age that are going through the exact same thing. It made Indiana aware that she isn’t alone on this diabetes journey and she isn’t different.” |
| Indiana and her mother Lauren attending Diabetes Victoria's family camp in Anglesea |
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Indiana and her mother Lauren attending Diabetes Victoria's family camp in Anglesea | |
| Indiana was five and a half years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Her mother felt heartbroken by the diagnosis and overwhelmed by the complexity of the chronic condition. Recently, Indiana and her mother attended family camp organised by Diabetes Victoria at Anglesea. “Indiana loved the camp and was able to meet so many kids of similar age that are going through the exact same thing. It made Indiana aware that she isn’t alone on this diabetes journey and she isn’t different.” |
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The challenges of diabetes are never more apparent than at Christmas time.
Your donation can help fund life-changing programs and ground-breaking research to bring joy and hope to families affected by diabetes. Please make a tax-deductible donation this festive season.
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Did you know?
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| Mahimna and his father Sunny attending family camp organised by Diabetes Victoria |
83 cents from every dollar donated directly funds much needed research, programs and services – for the benefit of all Victorians affected by, or at risk of, diabetes. This is well above the industry benchmark. More information is available at Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website here.