LIVINGLIVING
of injections and counting carbs by this
stage, so we requested the insulin pump
from our diabetes clinic. They felt that he
knew the ropes and therfore supported us
and within 6-to-8 weeks he had his pump
start. Having used the Dexcom system
already, the decision to use a pump had
become easier, it just seemed like the next
step. Evan had no problems in having a
second device stuck to his body. The
pump has since given him more freedom
as well as better control of his diabetes,
inlcuding an improved HbA1c. Before
he could be a little resistant to taking yet
another injection; the pump is taken that
problem away."
Smith looks back and says, "The clinic
was great. We did have to push a little bit
to get the Omnipod but they did not say
no, they saw that Evan was very keen to
use it, and that made a difference."
Summer holidays
As part of Evan's care the family worked
with his school to create personal care
guidelines for him, which means that this
summer he will be going off to summer
camp without us. In the guidelines it is
stated that he needs three jelly babies if
his glucose is going low, with a preference
at nighttime to use Glucojuice, as a half
asleep child can drink something more
easily than chew something. For a while
Evan was not waking up at night when
he had a hypo - it was our biggest driver
for going on the Dexcom sensor, as it
we could check on what was happening
without waking him to do a test."
Although Smith knows his family has
benefited from access to top-of-the-line
diabetes tech, it was not all plain sailing.
He laughs as he recalls, "We went on
holiday in the UK last year. We are based
Products available
from Diabetic Supply
include device
stickers, protective
cases, kitbags,
pump pouches, travel
accessories and hypo
treatments.
in Suffolk and were driving to Wales. It
wasn't until we got to Swindon that we
realised we'd left Evan's insulin in the
fridge at home. Luckily we always carry
a repeat prescription with us and were
able to call our GP, who called a local
pharmacy in Swindon and authorised for
it to be fulfilled. So we were OK."
The Smith family is now fully immersed
in having a family member with Type
1 diabetes and running a business in
the same arena. "It's tough to find the
balance," says Smith, "Evan is only 11,
but we try to share the load, and he's
doing great. I hope that with our website
continuing to improve, we can help to
reduce the burden for more people living
with diabetes."
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