Inspirational nine-year-old living with Type 1 diabetes heads to Florida for trip of a lifetime.
October 2016
Tilly-Rose does not let diabetes stop her living her life to the fullest.
A little girl who refuses to let her Type 1 diabetes get in the way of living life to the full is heading to Walt Disney World Florida on Sunday.
Tilly-Rose Dade, from Hellesdon, was nominated by her consultant at Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital to join this year’s Dreamflight.
Dreamflight is a UK charity that changes young lives through taking children with a serious illness or disability, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.
Diagnosis
Tilly-Rose was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was four years old and despite having to deal with the initial impact of living with the condition, Tilly-Rose bounced back and doesn’t let her condition stop her living life to the full.
The Kinsale Junior School pupil is a massive sports fan and her real passion is football. She plays for two football teams and has also been selected for the Norwich City Girls Football Academy.
Family Support
Tilly-Rose’s mum Samantha explained: “Nothing stops Tilly-Rose from doing anything she wants to do. We respect the diagnosis and know how serious the consequences are if we do not closely monitor her. But we carry on with everything else, holidays, going out, parties, school trips and a wide variety of sporting activities.
“The diabetes does not control Tilly-Rose’s life, we work hard to control the diabetes.
“She is very knowledgeable about her condition. It’s a team effort, we have massive support from the diabetes team at the hospital and her school is absolutely amazing and staff there ensure she can take part in all activities.
“As a family we’ve been determined to support her with everything she wants to do and we are delighted she is going on this trip. She is so looking forward to it.
“I think it’s very important that Type 1 diabetes is recognised as a serious condition.”
Tilly-Rose lives with her mum Samantha, who is a childminder, her dad Carl, a rose-grower, and brother Charlie, aged 14. Their older brother, 19-year-old Thomas, plays football in Texas.
Inspirational
Sharon Roberts, Diabetes UK Eastern Regional Head, said: “Tilly-Rose is a real inspiration and she demonstrates what can be achieved with planning, education and ensuring you work hard to keep in control of your condition.
“I hope anyone recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes can take comfort from Tilly-Rose’s amazing zest for life. I hope she has an amazing trip.”
Norfolk mum and dad launch massive fundraising drive for Diabetes UK after young daughter is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes
June 2016
A Norfolk family has embarked on a major fundraising and awareness initiative after their toddler Kara was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Bus driver Chris Elwood, 34, and wife Corinne Elwood, 35, from North Pickenham, Norfolk, along with family and friends, are planning to raise £25,000 for Diabetes UK. Chris and Corinne’s two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in January this year after she became extremely unwell.
“Our little girl was only 19 months old when she was diagnosed and if the paramedics had not picked up on her symptoms we would have lost her on that night," said Chris.
“I want to help raise awareness that the symptoms are not always obvious, and help raise funds so that in the future (hopefully near future) there will be a cure so that children like my baby girl and also adults will not have to deal with this condition.”
Chris and Corinne will take part in Diabetes UK’s London Bridges Challenge 2016 in October this year, joining other supporters and walking across 13 iconic bridges in London over the River Thames. The 10-mile route will take walkers from the home of Chelsea Football stadium at Stamford Bridge, through the heart of London, and over Tower Bridge to the end celebration.
Chris is also organising coach trips to Disneyland Paris this year, with profits going to Diabetes UK.
Impact
He added: “I don’t think people understand the impact a diabetes diagnosis can have on a family. I didn’t until my family was directly affected. It is very important that people recognise the symptoms so that they can act quickly.”
Teresa Strange, Diabetes UK Eastern fundraiser, said: “We are so grateful to Chris and his family for all the amazing fundraising he is undertaking on our behalf.
“All the money raised by Chris and Corinne will be used by Diabetes UK to fund research or support people living with diabetes."
If you'd like to support the family's fundraising events, please go to Chris Elwood's Just Giving page.
