Two years ago, Launceston’s Ruby Howe found herself in hospital with dangerously high blood sugar levels after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The potentially life-threatening disease affects about 300 children in Tasmania.
Before her diagnosis, Ruby was getting dizzy when she stood up and her eyes hurt when she looked at lights.
“She felt like she was going to vomit and she was getting headaches and lost weight,” her mum Linda said.
“You see your child go through this life threatening, life changing disease, so these camps are great because you know they’re safe with nurses and staff there.
“It’s so important that they meet other kids with the same disease. They need to know they’re normal and they’ve got support.”
Ruby wears an insulin pump and sensor, which means she is able to do the things she loves, like playing basketball.
“I wear the pump 24 hours a day, except when I’m playing sport, swimming or taking a shower,” she said.
Ruby is now 11 and went to her first Diabetes Tasmania camp in September, which enabled her to meet other kids her age with type 1 diabetes and learn about self-management.
Ruby attended the junior camp for 10 to 12-year-olds.
“I was really scared to go but I’m glad I did,” she said.
“I’m still friends with some of them and we did challenges like throwing eggs back and forth to each other without breaking them. We went bushwalking and made damper.”
The Rotary Club of Launceston made a $1000 donation on Friday to support the running of the Diabetes Tasmania camps, which range from family camps for parents and children, all the way up to young adult camps.
Diabetes Tasmania chief executive Caroline Wells accepted the cheque from the Rotary Club of Launceston.
“This allows type 1 diabetics to learn life skills and self-management with dietitians, educators and nurses there,” she said.
“Growing up, it can be particularly hard because they’re also dealing with all the other issues of adolescent.”
