Sweet life/media message
Taking diabetes
to the big screen
Siobhan O’Neill meets an inspirational group of
young people, determined to educate the public
about diabetes and hypoglycaemia with the help
of a fi lm crew from ITV Fixers.
Everyone knows diabetes is on the increase, diabetes, and what it might mean for him.
Above: Charlotte, from the support group
but ignorance among the public is still Simon set up Circle D when he realised
Circle D, will feature in the short film.
widespread when it comes to understanding there were support groups for children and
what diabetes is, what it can mean for the their families, and there were groups for knowing what is happening. At the end, she
person diagnosed, and how it can affect them. older people being diagnosed with type 2 and Emily meet. Emily explains that Charlotte
This is especially true for type 1 diabetes. later in life, but there was little around for should go to get tested for diabetes, because
One woman recently told Sweet she was young people once they reach the age of 16. her symptoms are similar to those Emily had
shocked by the response she received from Spotting a huge hole in the support system before she was diagnosed.
some people when she was fundraising for for young people, he founded the group for Charlotte explains: ‘The intention of the
the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 16- to 30-year-olds to meet, chat, socialise fi lm is to educate people about the symptoms
Ruth was shaking a collection tin in the and support each other. of diabetes, so if they were to witness
street because her granddaughter has been something then perhaps they’d know what to
diagnosed with type 1. Many people she met Scripting the film do; but also for people who may be suffering
knew nothing of the causes of diabetes in Meanwhile Kate Ost, the young people’s it themselves but don’t know, so if they
young people and instead levelled accusations coordinator for the West Country at ITV become aware of the symptoms then they can
that her granddaughter had been fed a poor diet. Fixers, was on the hunt for a diabetes-related go and get themselves checked out.’
This lack of understanding is commonplace project, partly because her older brother has As of November, Circle D were developing
and can make life harder and more dangerous type 1. When she found Simon’s group she the script with help from Kate, but they hope
for people with diabetes – for example, approached him with the idea that Circle D the fi nished fi lm – which will be about fi ve
when those around them can’t recognise the could work with ITV Fixers. minutes long – will be ready by January 2010.
symptoms of a hypo. ‘Kate came and met with me fi rst and then Diabetes UK will run it on their website, and
Concern about this has led one group of met the group,’ explains Simon. ‘We decided the group hope other sites will want to add
young people with diabetes to take action. to make a fi lm for the general public, because it, or that it can go into schools and other
They want to raise awareness about the people don’t understand about hypos. I’ve organisations to teach people about diabetes.
symptoms of diabetes, and what people had several times in town when I’ve been As Simon says with a grin: ‘We want to
should look out for to spot the signs of a showing symptoms of a hypo and no one show people that we’re not aliens – we’re
hypoglycaemic attack. helped me. I think they thought I was drunk still human!’ ■
or something,’ he says.
The need for support The group decided on a fi lm that follows
With the aid of ITV Fixers – a project run by two young women during a typical day.
Find out more
the Public Broadcasting Trust and working Circle D member Emily is 16 and has type 1.
Information about the project and a
with young people in the ITV regions Her story in the fi lm will show people what
‘making of’ film can be found on the
Meridian and West Country – a group for it’s like to have diabetes – the routines of
ITV Fixers website at
young people with diabetes in north Devon is blood testing, injecting, eating the right foods
www.itvfixers.com
making a fi lm they hope will educate people. and so on. Interwoven with her story is that
The leader of the group – called Circle D of Charlotte, 22. Charlotte suffered trauma to
Young people with diabetes in north
North Devon – is Simon Phillips, 29. He and her pancreas when she was 17 and has been
Devon who are interested in Circle D
his wife Louise both have type 1. Having told she may well develop diabetes.
can find them at
recently had a son, Zak, they’re both In the fi lm, Charlotte will play someone
www.circlednorthdevon.com
concerned about whether he too will develop suffering symptoms of diabetes but not
10 Sweet Magazine
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