ALEISHA Kaeding has seen first-hand the suffering her partner Corey Bryant goes through as someone with type 1 diabetes.
He was diagnosed with the disease at 12 years of age.
The pancreas of a type 1 diabetic does not produce any insulin, which is required for turning sugar into energy the body can use.
As such, they have to inject insulin regularly or use an insulin pump, and check their blood sugar levels several times each day.
Unlike the better-known type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors are not thought to contribute to the onset of the disease, though sufferers are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce symptoms.
“[Corey] manages it quite well, he’s been admitted to hospital maybe once in five years, whereas others can be in maybe a couple of times a month... it all comes down to management,” Ms Kaeding said.
“Its actually about mental health as well… If you feel supported and you’re empowered, and educated, you want to manage your diabetes… you do want to live a life you love.”
Her experiences with the diabetics in her family compelled Ms Kaeding to establish a Facebook group with her friend Nichola Kennedy, whose brother also has the condition, for type 1 diabetics in Mandurah to support each other and keep up-to-date on the best management techniques.
Ms Kennedy’s brother Arron Seotis said he found the support of his sister and friends helped him deal with the “24-hour-a-day chore” of diabetes.
“There’s hundreds of different ways to manage your diabetes… it was really about connecting type 1 diabetics and their loved ones to see what works and what doesn't, and how they can support one another,” Ms Kaeding said.
As an extension of the group, the two women have organised “The Pin Cushion Round-up”, an event showcasing the latest research and technology for managing type 1.
According to Ms Kaeding, people with type 1 jokingly refer to themselves as “pin cushions”.
The free event at the Mandurah Aquatic Centre includes a talk from Maxine Schlaeppi, a type 1 educator, and gives attendees the chance to see the Roche phone app in action, monitoring blood sugar levels on a smart phone.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will also be there to present the latest in stem cell research, and give an update on progress towards a cure.
People with type 1, families and friends are invited to attend at 2.30-4pm on Saturday, April 30.
For more information and to book a spot, see t1dmandurah.eventbrite.com/
Join the Mandurah Type 1 Diabetes Community at facebook.com/groups/T1DMandurah/
