Karen Morris’s daughter Sioned was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged 16.
Now 22, Sioned is managing her condition well and working in a nursery while studying. She has inspired Karen to take on the 1 Million Step Challenge this summer to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.
Karen, from Denbigh, will need to walk 10,000 steps a day until the 30th September to reach her target
“Something must be wrong”
Karen said, “Sioned’s aunt had said Sioned was looking slimmer, but we put it down to a growth spurt. Later we were shopping, and the only dress that fit her was for ages 12 to 13. She was also drinking a lot. I knew something must be wrong.
“We went to the GP as Sioned had pins and needles down her leg. When I mentioned her other symptoms, he suggested she might have diabetes and recommended a blood test. The next day they phoned and said I needed to bring her to hospital straight away.
“You often hear about Type 2 diabetes in the news, but we didn’t know much about Type 1. It didn’t sink in until they told us more about it and what it would mean. If we had left it much longer, she could have slipped into a coma.
Sioned took it in her stride, but I felt the world had crumbled.”
"Sioned is an inspiration to us"
Karen continued, “Sioned inspires us all. She has blips sometimes but if she has a hypo at work her colleagues know what to do. Getting positive feedback from her healthcare team reassures her she’s doing OK.
“She’s very open about her insulin injections and making more people aware will increase others’ understanding. I’m so proud of her and everything she has achieved.
“I like a challenge and knowing that our fundraising will help raise awareness and fund research. 1 million sounds a lot, but when you break it down, it’s achievable.”
Our Fundraising Manager, Joseph Cuff, said: “There are around 19,000 adults in Wales with Type 1 diabetes. We’re so grateful to Karen for taking up our challenge and raising vital funds to help us continue to support them.”
Click here to sponsor Karen.
