When Bonnie Estridge’s daughter was diagnosed with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes 16 years ago, just before her seventh birthday, she and her husband were shocked
“There was no apparent history of diabetes on either side of the family, and there were no answers as to why she had it. The only treatment available was, and still is, daily injections of insulin for life.
"Balancing insulin with food so that her glucose levels were neither too low (causing her to become unconscious if she wasn’t given something sugary) nor too high (too much glucose in the body for too long can be fatal) seemed so complicated. How could she possibly lead a normal life?
"With the help of our diabetes specialist nurse, Suzy was taught how to inject herself (and her teddy bear!) using a device that looked like a fountain pen and had a small electronic meter to test the glucose levels in her blood from a finger prick sample.
"In fact, things carried on pretty much as normal and, back then, she was very open about having the condition, quite proud of it, in a way. So long as there was a bit of forward planning, she could go to sleepovers, school trips, parties and so on. Even puberty caused no problems unless you count the mood swings typical of any teenager.
"But when Suzy started university (she stayed in London but went into a flat share) things changed. Away from the comfort zone of her old school friends, she didn’t want anyone to know she had diabetes because she didn’t want to be 'different'.
"We clashed constantly when I asked her about her glucose levels, whether she was eating sensibly (bearing in mind that junk food is the student’s staple diet) or quizzing her about drink, drugs, sex and so on.
"I’m pretty sure that none of her uni friends knew that she had diabetes and there was a real worry that if she didn’t eat enough and therefore became ‘hypo’ (low glucose levels), no one would know to give her something sugary to bring the levels back up.
"For this reason, she made sure that she never allowed her levels to get anywhere near a hypo and therefore constantly kept them too high (which can lead to later complications).
"She was an adult, so none of this was my business, as she kept reminding me. As her mother, how could I not be concerned? But I knew that I had to let go and get off her back.
"Things improved once Suzy started work. Having complained constantly about having to go for her crucial hospital check-ups, she found a clinic that suited her and started eating more sensibly.
"Although diabetes is not a topic of conversation she wishes to dwell on, these days I can now ask her how she’s doing without provoking a row. Our relationship, which was always close, has survived and, I’d say, is now closer than ever.
"Suzy would be the first to say that she lives a fulfilling, active and yes, completely ‘normal’ life, which includes a job she loves, plenty of friends, a steady relationship, driving, clubbing and snowboarding. Virtually nothing is off-limits.
"I’m sure that she still resents her diabetes, who wouldn’t? But I like to think that she's the strong character she has become because of it, not despite it.”
