Page 34 - link magazine

34 The Link Maqazine • June 1999
Diabetes: a condition for life
PHILIP STONE
With Diabetes Awareness Week approaching, Gina Dennis talked to Katie Stafford from Freshbrook
PAINTER & who wants people to be aware of the permanent effects of diabetes.
Watching lively four year old "What's helped me most is the
DECORATOR Samuel Stafford in the playground fact that I've got a lovely little boy
at Oliver Tomkins School or enjoy- who is full of life - it just makes you
For a high standard ing his brightly coloured climbing want to do the best for him," says
of work frame in the garden, you would Katie. "Samuel can run, he can
not guess that his life is dependent skip, he can laugh. He's a happy
References available on regular injections of insulin and child. But he does have a lot of
Telephone now for a constant monitoring. restrictions. We are so very proud
About a year ago, Samuel's of the way he copes with this prob-
FREE ESTIMATE mum, Katie, noticed that he was lem - the injections, the tests, the
becoming anxious and tearful over not having sweets or ice creams
Tel: 870515 or
the smallest incidents. If he stood when others do.
Mobile 0374 - 208527 on a toy or knocked his arm, he "As a parent, sometimes all you
would cry inconsolably. He was can see is the diabetes and your life
also hungry and thirsty all the time. revolves around food. On the other
Their GP diagnosed diabetes and
PAUL SMALL Samuel was admitted to hospital hand, you learn not to worry about
all the little things in life."
GAS & HEATING SERVICES immediately. The next 24 hours
were a traumatic blur of blood tests
Servicing • Installation and injections as Samuel's condi- Samuel needs six regular meals Week of awareness
Breakdown tion was brought under control. a day that are high in carbohy- The week of 6 - 12 of June is Na-
At home a nurse came every day drates and low in fat and sugar. tional Diabetes Week and local
• All gas appliances to give him his injections and sup- He can have small quantities of support group SCWIDD (Swin-
& central heating port and train Katie and husband sweet things like ice cream, but don Children With Insulin De-
• Landlord safety inspection Michael. At first, it took two of only after a balanced meal. Be- pendent Diabetes) is trying to
• Plumbing repairs them to hold Samuel down. It took cause this is a biological and not a raise awareness of children with
months for him to come to terms mathematical problem, you can't diabetes.
• Emergency call out
with the needles and even now, just 'work it out', there are too SCWIDD offers children and
• British Gas trained like any four-year-old, he still many factors. Too little food, too their families support, information,
• Corgi registered doesn't enjoy the experience. much insulin, a growth spurt, a and social opportunities, alleviat-
"If it were just the injections and change in the weather, illness, ing the isolation they can feel.
Tel: 01793 828143 blood tests, it would be fine," said stress - any of these can upset the
Newsletters, events and holi-
Mobile: 0378 913119 Katie. "The hardest part is not balance. days help keep them in touch with
knowing what's ahead." Katie is keen that Samuel should each other and there is a help-line
As well as the risk of hypogly- be encouraged to be independent for moments of crisis.
PAUL DRAPER caemic attacks and coma, diabet- and unashamed of his condition. Around 90 children in and
ics can face problems with their She does leave him in supervised around Swindon have the condi-
uPVC Fascia, eyes, kidneys, heart and circula- play areas, though never for more tion Insulin Dependent Diabetes
tory system and nerve damage. To than an hour and she carries a Mellitus (Type 1 Diabetes). No-
Guttering protect against such long-term mobile 'phone. Birthday parties body knows why the pancreas
harm, it is vital to achieve a near and swimming lessons are only stops producing insulin, but, if not
& Cladding normal glucose level and maintain possible if mum or dad can stay corrected, it can prove fatal. Suf-
a healthy lifestyle with him. ferers need between 1 and 4 insu-
CLADDING FASCIAS
lin injections a day.
Unfortunately, diabetes is in-
f Hillside Building Services creasing in young children. It is
currently incurable. A child with
® GUTTERING Extensions, loft conversion,
e ui `4 diabetes will have to live with it
* FREE ESTIMATES * specialists in all types of building & plastering for life.
For more information about
Tel: (01793) 825965 All work full insured SCWIDD, call Jan Hinder on
3 Overton Gardens, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon Contact Dave on 01793 488470 764124 or Tina Phillips on 336665.