Page 13 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • January 2009 13
MP backs diabetes campaign after hearing teenager’s story Train as an
advocate in 2009
Sam Stafford and his mum Katy last talked to The Link about his newly diagnosed diabetes back in 1999
when he was three. Now a confident 13 year old, Sam is an advocate for youngsters with the disease and Volunteers are needed to help
has visited the House of Commons to ask for more support in schools.
people with learning disabilities
Sam wrote to Michael Wills since he developed Coeliac dis- make their voices heard and get
MP as part of a national cam- ease. This means he is unable to the services they need.
paign to raise awareness of eat biscuits, bread or oats which The Swindon Advocacy Move-
difficulties faced by diabetic provide slow release carbohy- ment (SAM) is looking for people
children in school. In his let- drates and help to balance his who can give two hours a month
ter he explained that whilst blood sugar. to work with a partner who has
his teachers at Bradon Forest His mum, Katy, said Sam has learning difficulties. During regular
School understand his condi- had to become very organised. visits, an advocate talks through
tion, a recent survey showed “Every day is like planning a their partner’s concerns which
that many children are not al- military operation so that he can be accessing a service, making
lowed to eat snacks in school leaves home with prepared a complaint or moving house. The
which are needed to keep food and his injection kit. It advocate helps assess the informa-
blood sugar levels constant means Sam has to miss longer tion so that the individual can make
and some are excluded from school trips if the right food is a decision on their own.
school trips. not available. Advocates need to be good listen-
“I was impressed by Mr “I’ve always said diabetes ers and confident to speak out on
Wills,” said Sam after a trip should not be hidden which is behalf of their partner. This could
to the House of Commons why we did The Link story in mean attending meetings or court,
with his dad. “He was very 1999. Diabetic children are in making phone calls or helping to
concerned that schools don’t grave danger if their schools fill in a form.
recognise what children di- don’t help them. Those diag- SAM volunteer co-ordinator
agnosed with diabetes have nosed when they’re older can Cat Murphy says volunteers come
to go through. He sent my Katy and Sam Stafford find it very difficult coming to from all walks of life. “We have
letter to the Minister for Education injection. “I like talking to people so terms with diabetes and schools a number of clients and the more
and Swindon Council asking them I’m not afraid of telling them about need to know how to support them, varied our volunteers’ experience
to make sure they are trying their my diabetes,” he said. both practically and emotionally.” the better so we can match people’s
hardest with diabetic children.” Although he was diagnosed Since we featured Sam in 1999 interests. Our clients are aged from
Mr Wills took Sam and his dad to when he was three, Sam did not he’s become a very confident, well 16 to 93. The work is very reward-
the Commons tea room where Sam need to start injections until he was organised boy who is a member of ing as a lot of our clients are real
enjoyed a hot chocolate after dem- twelve. Regulating his condition Swindon Young Actors, loves art personalities. “
onstrating a finger prick test and an has become even more complicated and music and also PE at Bradon A training course is planned
Forest. for February. For details call Cat
Diabetes UK president to speak of ‘cure’ www.diabetes.org.uk on 542266.
The Swindon group of Diabetes UK holds its annual general meeting
on Tuesday 3 February, 7.30pm, at the Broadgreen Centre, Salisbury
Street.
The guest speaker is Richard Lane OBE, President of Diabetes UK,
who is one of the first in Britain to have undergone a successful islet
transplant and thus to be ‘cured’ of type 1 diabetes.
Matthew Spencer, secretary of the Swindon group, said, “Mr Lane is
an inspirational speaker, and we hope his visit will offer sufferers some
evidence that science is making progress towards a cure for diabetes, as
well as boosting awareness of the group.”
Mr Lane will be presented with a cheque from fundraising by the
Swindon group. Diabetes sufferers and supporters are welcome to at-
tend the meeting. For details call Matthew Spencer on 851229 or mail:
[email protected]

Walk raises cash for diabetic kids
Diabetes sufferers Holly Traynor, 6, from Redhouse and Kane Chilcott,
12, were joined by friends on a three mile trek down Thamesdown
Drive in October which raised £750 for Swindon Children with Insulin
Dependent Diabetes (SCWIDD).
Holly was pictured on the front page of the November Link. Her mum PHOENIX
Charley said she wanted to thank all the readers who called with donations
after the story appeared, and also family and friends who helped.
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