It may only have been a matter of months since Abby Carlon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes but already the 10-year-old knows more than most about the condition.
That’s because she’s always kept an eye out for her little sister Mia who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was three.
Now the seven-year-old has stepped up to show Abby the ropes and support her big sister in her diabetes journey.
Mum Candice and dad Troy said the diagnosis came as a shock and the family had mixed emotions but took comfort in knowing the girls had each other for support.
“I didn’t notice any possible diabetes signs other than that Abby had been drinking a lot more water but it’s been hot so I didn’t really think too much about it,” she said.
“Troy actually suggested it could be diabetes and that we should finger-prick Abby just to be safe and that’s when we discovered it.”
The girls visited Perth Children’s Hospital’s Diabetes Service on World Diabetes Day last month. This year’s theme was family – the impact diabetes has on the family and the role of the family in supporting a loved one who has type 1.
“Mia has certainly stepped up to help Abby and we are thankful for that,” Candice said.
The Diabetes Service marked the occasion by handing out blue frisbees with World Diabetes Day on them to patients.
Photo: Abby, Candice, Troy and Mia Carlon
First published Thursday 14 November 2019.