Rylstone Public School has just 89 students, but their support for six-year old William, who has type 1 diabetes (T1D), is larger than life. William’s mum and avid JDRF supporter, Rachel, talks to us about family life with T1D and their recent Type 1 Fun Run success.
My little family’s life was turned upside down five years ago, when my eldest son, William was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at just two years old. Diagnosis was a really difficult time for our family as I was pregnant with my youngest, Luke, and had no idea that T1D could change our lives so dramatically.
In Rylstone, where we live, there is only one other person with T1D, so we had to figure everything out for ourselves. At first life was really hard as we taught themselves the ins and outs of T1D. But now, together, we just do it. Sometimes though, we feel far from having everything under control. Every day is a battle and a roller coaster of emotions keeping Will’s blood glucose levels under control. It’s scary to think that the insulin he needs to keep him alive, can also take his life from him. As a parent, the feeling of relief every morning when I see he is awake is one I no longer want to feel.
Because there is a genetic link with T1D, I worry that Luke will one day show symptoms, so I often tests his sugars too. Luke is involved with everything as well; he comes to the fundraising events to support his older brother and is always on hand whenever we have to change over William’s pump.
While still in the hospital, we made a decision that we wouldn’t let type 1 stop us from doing anything, and that it would not rule our lives.
We’re lucky to have an amazing local community, including family, friends, and the school, and they now know all about T1D. It can be hard to let William go off to school, but his classmates all look out for him on the bus which gives me a sense of comfort. William’s teacher is also a great support and regularly tests his sugars and always sends me a text if something isn’t right. My workplace always allows me the opportunity to check on William at school if I need to.
A few years on from Williams’s diagnosis, I’ve now been involved with four ‘Jelly Baby Breakfast’ events through my support of JDRF, and this year, I tackled a new challenge — a Type 1 Fun Run at William’s school. As soon as the email about the Type 1 Fun Run from JDRF came into my inbox, I went straight to the school principal for permission and, excitingly, received a “yes!” that very same day.
On the morning of the run we held a BBQ breakfast and cake stall from 7:30am. Donations from the various stalls raised over $5,000, while the Fun Run itself raised well over $4,000! The day made a HUGE impact within our community by raising so much awareness, and by showing how a caring little school can improve the lives of all children living with type 1.
My biggest joy comes from seeing the kids helping each other. Williams’s friend, Tynan, raised nearly $800 by door knocking saying; “I want to raise money for my friend who has type 1 diabetes. I want to raise $600 because he is six years old!”
It’s exciting to be more involved with JDRF, and there is definitely room to grow the Type 1 Fun Run next year!
Inspired by Rachel and William?
If you’d like to host a Type 1 Fun Run at your school, check out the website here.