JDRF is at the forefront of T1D research and advocacy, tirelessly working towards a world where this disease no longer poses a threat. For the past five decades, they have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of T1D and driving innovation in its treatment and management.

For more information visit - https://jdrf.org.au/

In the hospital, we received our welcome backpack and the Rufus bear. Then, we began learning about what JDRF does and the impact they have made on research and the technology we have access to today. I am so grateful for the work that has been done to get us to where we are now.   

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that can develop at any age. When someone develops type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells instead of defending against foreign invaders. In this case, the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts glucose from food into energy for the body. Without enough insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a dangerous condition. For more visit - T1D

Yes, my best friend’s mum had type 1 growing up, so I was always aware of it. I also worked as a podiatrist in high risk footcare for the first seven years of my career, which means I often saw the challenges that diabetes complications can bring. Funnily enough, I almost went down the path of becoming a diabetes educator too, so it is always an area that I have been passionate about.

I feel like the first six months were a blur with so much sleep deprivation and sadness. I felt like I was failing every single day just trying to keep his levels in range and it felt so much harder than even bringing a new born baby home for the first time.

There was a lot of grief for our old life and for the freedom Declan had, just being a carefree nine-year-old, but he has really taken everything in his stride which has made it so much easier for us. 

I also struggled with my workload as I travel a lot for my business, and it was hard leaving him for the first few times, but it also helped my husband learn the ropes so we both manage his care along with his older sister who has been incredible.

Since he got the insulin pump and now 12 months on, I can say we’ve adjusted well and have the mindset that there isn’t anything he can’t do - we just plan for it and there is light at the end of the tunnel again.

It had been 12 years since I really worked with T1D on a regular basis, and the changes that have happened, especially in the last five years, have been absolutely incredible. It makes managing T1D so much easier and helps parents sleep better, keeps children and adults with T1D so much safer, and better managed levels which means less diabetes related complications. That’s all due to research, so it’s absolutely vital.