As a mother of three boys, Dianne was used to juggling family life with a busy job as a Lettings Officer, hiring out facilities and orgainising events in a school in Shropshire. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 12 years old, she knew what to do and barely ever needed to go to the doctors.

Holly said: “Although I showed pretty much all the symptoms it was quite a big shock. I was very overwhelmed and to make matters worse I have a phobia of needles!

Diagnosed in 2006, David had become very insulin resistant, which, coupled with an operation to remove part of his colon left him with a difficulty in managing the condition effectively.

We're supporting a new leaflet aiming to raise awareness of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Rhys has Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, and type 1 diabetes. Because of his learning difficulties and his need to shield when the pandemic began, he moved from sheltered accommodation back into his home with his mother, Laura. 

Rhys, said:

Diabetes UK Cymru has partnered with Cardiff University’s School of Medicine and Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance (DAR) to run a series of webinars for healthcare professionals and for the Muslim community in Wales, led by Dr Mohammad Alhadj Ali, Clinical Lecturer in Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Fynn Hannify from Neath felt unwell in November last year. First, he started losing weight and his parents and teachers noticed he was grumpy and not his usual self.

Dai Williams, National Director at Diabetes UK Cymru said: “Type 1 diabetes is easily overlooked and symptoms can be mistaken for viral infections, particularly in children and young people, which can lead to medical emergencies. Covid-19 has just confused matters more, with diagnoses being missed or delayed.

Following the success of the Befriending Circle set up in Cumbria by the Diabetes UK North West Team in 2019, a similar scheme is now  being piloted in Wales, where a third of the population lives in rural areas. Some lack public transport and digital connectivity.

We are offering free boxes of craft materials alongside fun and inspiring ideas to children living with type 1 diabetes in Wales. All you need to do is fill in this form to sign up.