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Type 1 diabetes

7 replies

GRMUM · 08/11/2004 09:14

My best friend's 8 year old was diagnosed in the summer with this. I am getting really worried about her as although they are coping well with the diabetes she seems to me to be sinking under the stress of it all. As she has expressed a desire in the past to communicate with other mums with children with type 1, I was wondering if there is anyone who can help, and help me in knowing how to support her better.

OP posts:
fio2 · 08/11/2004 09:20

I dont know much about type 1 but my dh does. his Father had it. My nisighbours granddaughter (who is 14) has type 1 and it is incredibly stressful for the family. my sister had diabetes as a complication of her cystic fibrosis and it was really hard work, especially with hormones kicking in etc. i am sure there must be some support groups out there.

have you tried googling support groups for parents of children with type 1 diabetes?

or contact a family?

gingernut · 08/11/2004 09:37

hoxtonchick has Type I diabetes, I'm fairly sure. Also have you tried Diabetes UK ?

GRMUM · 08/11/2004 09:53

Thank you both so much for replying so quickly. After talking to my friend earlier I am getting more and more worried.She is going to see a doctor tonight for herself but I'm not sure she'll tell him everything - she will want to make it look as if she's OK IYKWIM. I've just been on the diabetes uk site but I couldn't find any chat forums. Does contact-a-family have international contacts? (we are in Greece)

OP posts:
GRMUM · 08/11/2004 09:54

I'll try googling now - thanks

OP posts:
gingernut · 08/11/2004 18:26

Is she a member of diabetes UK though? Personally, I think their magazine, Balance, is a great source of information (my dh has Type II), e.g. about new research, new types of test kits/insulin pens etc (some of which may not be so relevant in Greece as they may not be available there I suppose). Also, it contains articles which she may find help e.g. there may well be some others by parents of children with Type I. Is there a similar charity/patient's association in Greece? If you find one you might find they have local groups (as Diabetes UK does).

Hope things settle down for her - I found it pretty depressing when my dh was diagnosed and really I didn't have anything like the level of responsibility for his condition that she must feel she has for her child.

PuffTheMagicDragon · 08/11/2004 18:38

This is a US site, but has email support groups for different countries too I think:

children with diabetes support groups

hoxtonchick · 08/11/2004 19:11

Hi GRMUM. What a nice friend you are to be so concerned. And thanks for the mention gingernut .

Diabetes UK runs family weekends which are a great place to meet people in similar situations, though it might be a bit far to travel from Greece (I'm not sure whether your friend is there or in the UK?). Perhaps there is a Greek Diabetes Association? Children with diabetes is an excellent website which I've used a lot in the past, though not the chat boards.

Sorry I'm not too much practical help. I was diagnosed when I was 19, so although I could give you my mum's view it wouldn't be very relevant I don't think.

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