Charlie was just three years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s pancreas to stop producing insulin. As a result, she needs to take insulin every day.
Type 1 diabetes can lead to a variety of complications that affect the body from head to toe, including stroke, blindness, amputation, and more. People with diabetes are also at risk for mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, that can result from the stress of managing their diabetes.
Charlie’s mom, Kate, knew something was wrong with her daughter’s health after noticing she was becoming very pale, sluggish and persistently thirsty.
Kate took Charlie to their family doctor, who immediately ordered blood tests. After taking Charlie to the IWK, she learned that Charlie’s blood sugar was very high, and it was because she had type 1 diabetes.
Reflecting on that moment, Kate remembers feeling terrified by the permanence of the condition and the unknown journey ahead. However, Kate found comfort in an IWK care team member. “A woman named Jan sat with me and convinced me that everything was going to be okay,” shares Kate. “She helped me get through those first few days.”
The following week, Kate returned to the IWK for an education session on diabetes, where she learned more about checking Charlie’s blood sugar (glucose), as well as meal planning and healthy eating. At the time, Kate had to prick Charlie’s finger several times a day with a glucose monitor to check her blood sugar levels.
When Charlie was seven years old, she began using an insulin pump to manage her diabetes. An insulin pump can deliver the right amount of insulin when an individual with diabetes needs it. It also requires fewer insulin injections and reduces the risk of low and high blood glucose levels.
Because Charlie needs insulin, she must count every carbohydrate she consumes to help manage her blood sugar more easily. And when she participates in sports, she must be very aware of her blood sugar levels, as they can impact how she feels. If her blood sugar drops, she can’t participate until it increases, because low blood sugar can cause an unusually fast heart rate, dizziness, and confusion. If her blood sugar is high, it causes increased urination and mood swings.
Despite living with a chronic illness, Charlie, now 11years old, doesn’t let her diabetes define her and continues to live life to the fullest. She has taken up dragster drag racing, studies theatre and participates in speed skating and swimming. Charlie has big dreams, including acting on Broadway, opening her own nail salon, and becoming a pediatric nurse.
For Kate, the IWK’S Diabetes Clinic is a constant in their life and the lifeline they need. “The IWK is the backbone of the Maritimes,” says Kate. “When your child is sick, the IWK is the hospital you want them to be in.”
