Eight-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes wins Child of Courage award

An eight-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes has won The Christopher Hall Award for A Child of Courage, which recognises a child’s incredible bravery.
Ben Ward, from Halifax, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of one. Two of his siblings, Ebony and Tony, also have the condition.
Last year, Ben was nominated for a separate honour called the Champion Children’s Award, run by the Halifax Courier, but he had to be rushed to hospital a day after the awards ceremony. Ben was then diagnosed with epilepsy on New Year’s Day 2016.
The Child of Courage award, which is run by fundraising organisation Pop 4 Diabetes, this year celebrated tremendous courage in dealing with diabetes.
Ben won the award in front of his family at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth, an event which was supported by EastEnders stars Jamie Borthwick and Harry Reid, who play Jay Brown and Ben Mitchell in the soap, respectively.
Managing epilepsy along with type 1 diabetes presents a significant challenge particularly for a young child. A review published by the International Diabetes Federation states that there can be difficulty in discerning between epilepsy seizures and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Additionally, rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) tend to be higher in children with epilepsy.
Earlier this year, we reported on a study that showed that children with type 1 diabetes were around three times more likely to develop epilepsy later in later.
For more information on diabetes in children, visit our Type 1 Diabetes and Children section which provides guidance on management and treatment. Additionally, the Diabetes Forum has support for both Parents and Children.
Picture: Halifax Courier