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support for grandaughter

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Nanny_C

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Hi
This is my first post, thank you for taking the time to read it and I would be very grateful for any feedback. My 14 year old granddaughter was diagnosed with diabetes type 1, nearly two years ago. We have been so proud of her with the way she has coped , not complaining just getting on with it. She has had several blips recently which we were expecting but need to get her back on track. Being a teenager is hard enough in itself but adding diabetes to the mix has made life very difficult for her. As a family we are supporting her the best we know how but would appreciate any advice. Do you think counselling would help? Are there support groups just for teenagers with diabetes? Is there any literature/ books specifically aimed at teenage diabetes? Thank you .
 
Nanny_C said:
Hi
This is my first post, thank you for taking the time to read it and I would be very grateful for any feedback. My 14 year old granddaughter was diagnosed with diabetes type 1, nearly two years ago. We have been so proud of her with the way she has coped , not complaining just getting on with it. She has had several blips recently which we were expecting but need to get her back on track. Being a teenager is hard enough in itself but adding diabetes to the mix has made life very difficult for her. As a family we are supporting her the best we know how but would appreciate any advice. Do you think counselling would help? Are there support groups just for teenagers with diabetes? Is there any literature/ books specifically aimed at teenage diabetes? Thank you .
Click to expand...

Hello there Nanny_C.

It's impossible for anyone to say if any course of action will work for another individual with the sort of details you have given.

I'd suggest the first port of call for support for your granddaughter would be her diabetes team, probably at the hospital she attends.

There are various groups supporting diabetes around the country. I don't know where you live, but the Diabetes UK site has a list of local groups affiliated to them. The link is here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/In_Your_Area/ If you just go through your region, you'll get to more detail.

In my area, Leicestershire, there are thriving groups for young people, and for parents, as well as general groups. Hopefully there might be something near where your granddaughter lives.
 
Have you looked at any of the Diabetes UK days? I believe they are throughout the year and often targeted at "young adults".
As the previous response has said, everyone's needs are different. JDRF may have something similar.
I just remember how difficult is to be different when you are a teenager so being in an environment where everyone has diabetes may be beneficial. She may also make some friends who she can chat with afterwards.
 
Why don't you get her to join the forum... there is a section specifically for young people.
 
Nanny_C said:
Hi
This is my first post, thank you for taking the time to read it and I would be very grateful for any feedback. My 14 year old granddaughter was diagnosed with diabetes type 1, nearly two years ago. We have been so proud of her with the way she has coped , not complaining just getting on with it. She has had several blips recently which we were expecting but need to get her back on track. Being a teenager is hard enough in itself but adding diabetes to the mix has made life very difficult for her. As a family we are supporting her the best we know how but would appreciate any advice. Do you think counselling would help? Are there support groups just for teenagers with diabetes? Is there any literature/ books specifically aimed at teenage diabetes? Thank you .
Click to expand...

I agree with the suggestion of joining the forum. It really does help to know you're not alone with Type 1.

If she's up for it, I also recommend the book Think Like A Pancreas. It's got lots of info about Type 1 but, importantly, is written in a really friendly style. I found it really good to read for that reason as it made me smile about Type 1 and feel that someone actually got it.

Is she on injections or does she have a pump?
 
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