In early July 2021, 10-month-old Harrison was rushed to his local hospital after becoming severely ill. Hospital staff quickly identified that Harrison was suffering from DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) and he was immediately airlifted from his hometown of Dalby to Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Harrison made a full recovery after spending several days in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and receiving insulin and other fluids to stabilise the ketoacidosis and was subsequently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
However, life for Harrison and his family has changed forever.
For a young child like Harrison, it is incredibly difficult to manage diabetes using insulin pens, as the smallest deliverable amount of insulin from a pen is too much for a child of his age.
Thanks to support from our generous donors and the Cory Charitable Foundation, we are proud to be able to fund insulin infusion pumps through the Compassionate Use Pump program.
The benefit of the insulin infusion pump, particularly for young children like Harrison, is the ability to administer very small doses of insulin. The pump is worn 24/7 and allows for communication between his continuous glucose monitor allowing for simpler corrections and calculations.
“Thank you for making this pump possible. This has allowed us to take the time and focus on our ‘new normal’ and getting Harrison’s Type 1 Diabetes under control.”
Dimity, Harrison’s Mum.
Harrison’s family would like to raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in the community so that other parents and caregivers of young children are aware that diabetes can occur at any age, even as young as 10 months.
Type 1 Diabetes is not caused though diet or lifestyle choices, and knowing the symptoms allows for early identification of its onset. Some of the symptoms can be missed or explained as other things. Thirst, tiredness, tummy pains, vomiting, frequent urination, and weight loss are the main signs and symptoms.
If you have any concerns that your child has any of these symptoms, please see your GP as soon as possible. If diabetes is suspected a simple urine test or finger-prick blood test can be done.
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