Family/grandparents
Ruth and her husband do a lot of the child to help each other through the hard part of
care for their daughter and have found it hard Abigail’s diagnosis and now they all just get on
Find out more
to come to terms with Abigail’s diagnosis, with it. ‘We’re a very close family,’ says Ruth.
Diabetes UK runs a series of family
although they are keen to be there as much ‘I’m so proud of them all, the way they’ve
support weekends each year, from
as they can. ‘When I first read about it I had a handled it – Abi and her brother Jack, and
May to October. The weekend breaks
few tears over it,’ says Ruth. ‘When it’s a child especially my daughter. It was such a bolt out
are available for all family members,
it hits you hard and I do worry, but it doesn’t of the blue but she’s been brilliant. She even including grandparents, and involve
get you anywhere so I try not to.’ made some little pouches for Abi’s pump.’ bags of fun for the young people and
What makes it tougher on grandparents Ruth’s advice to other grandparents is to the opportunity to attend discussion
is that many of the traditional grandparent learn as much as possible about the condition,
groups and meet other families for
activities can seem to be denied to them. and she says, ‘Keep strong for the sake of the
the adults. The weekends aim to give
Baking buns or making crispy cakes is no child. You have to keep positive – it could be a
people a better understanding of how
longer allowed. ‘They all say they can’t spoil lot worse. You have to chill about it.’
diabetes affects young people, and
them any more,’ says Lynne. ‘They all want to And Ruth too has been out raising money
also to help create friendships and
know what they can make and what treats they for JDRF, and educating people about diabetes
support networks.
can give them,’ she says, but she points out that by handing out leaflets. It’s one way that
The charity publishes the list of
weekends on the My Life section of
the occasional careful treat is still allowed. grandparents can feel they can help and turn
their website at
www.diabetes.org.uk/
‘Everything that had sugar went out,’ says what might seem like a negative situation into
Guide-to-diabetes/My-life/Teens/Help-
Ruth, ‘but we are naughty sometimes. We a positive one. ‘It’s their way of coping,’ says
and-support/We-can-help/Holidays/ or
make cakes with Splenda instead of sugar. She Lynne. ‘Grandparents are always at the front
you can call the Care Support Team on
doesn’t really go without.’ of the queue with events – whether it’s raising
020 7424 1000 for more information.
Ruth and her family have pulled together money or awareness.’ n
82 Sweet Magazine
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