NEW DEVICE HAS THOMAS ON A HIGH
LIFE is about to change for 13-year-old Thomas Peters today when he receives an incredible new device that will allow him to be like any other teen.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 15 months ago, Thomas and his family have been navigating the world of diabetes as a team ever since, with his mother Cassie his biggest supporter.
“I was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 26 years ago, so I know what Thomas is going through to some degree, but thankfully now there are so many great new apps and devices that make managing the condition so much easier,” she said.
“We first noticed Thomas may have had diabetes when he started having to go to the bathroom really frequently through the night; at one point he was going to the toilet several times in a 40 minute period.”
The pharmacy assistant said diabetes ran in her family’s genes with her father becoming a double amputee below both knees after a childhood spent mismanaging the condition.
“Back then they didn’t know much about diabetes and how important it was to stay on top of it early in life,” Ms Peters said.
“Now, thanks to a number of apps including mySugr and devices like Thomas’ new insulin pump which we are receiving on loan thanks to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Thomas will have a much better life than people like my father who were diagnosed with diabetes several decades ago.”
Owner of Busiko’s Guardian Pharmacy where Ms Peters works, Boyd Busiko said there were about 10,000 people living with diabetes in Toowoomba.
He estimated up to 80 per cent of patients were not managing their condition properly.
“Far too many people are letting their diabetes care plan go by the wayside which can have serious health implications such as cardiovascular complications, loss of sight and nerve damage,” he said.
“Your local pharmacy is a great support network to have when it comes to managing your diabetes, so make sure you access them regularly.”