Children are constantly surprising. Whether they are learning new words or lobbying at Scottish Parliament, kids show us that anything is possible. It’s not just adults who can be role models.
In this blog, we’ve taken a look at some particularly inspiring children with diabetes who strove to make an impact by inspiring others and showing that diabetes is no obstacle.
Walking tall
At the beginning of the month, we reported on Eilidh Kane, aged nine, who has had right-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy since she was a baby and was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of five.
Earlier this week, Eilidh walked 5km at Strathclyde Country Park on behalf of the type 1 diabetes charity JDRF, and is a hero to her twin sister, Iona.
“I am declaring victory!”
In January 2014, Anja Busse launched a petition requesting that American Girl, a retailer of dolls and toys, produce a “diabetes care kit” for their dolls.
Earlier this year, after 4,335 signatures, American Girl started selling a diabetes care kit that includes an insulin pump, blood glucose meter and glucose tablets. Busse, who has type 1 diabetes, said of the news: “I am declaring victory!”
Money matters
It’s not very often that six-year-old girls lobby in Scottish Parliament to promote greater awareness of diabetes, so Amalia Holman is in elite, if minimal, company.
Amalia has type 1 diabetes, and in 2011 she handed out cards with messages about diabetes to MPs in Holyrood (along with help from her mom and the JDRF) so that they were better informed when allocating diabetes funding.
Ball in her court
Speaking of Amalias, we recently spoke to the dad of Amalia Widdowson, a seven-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes.
Amalia won the LTA National Tour 9 & Under event last year in Southampton, and is adamant that type 1 diabetes will not stop her from becoming a professional tennis player.
‘All About That Cure’
Two years ago, four girls from Tuscon, Arizona endeared themselves around the world with their “All About That Cure” video: a diabetes-themed remake of Meghan Trainor’s big hit about the bass.
With lyrics such as “Because you know we’re all about that cure, no needles”, the girls racked up the YouTube views and ended up making international headlines, going on to significantly raise diabetes awareness in the process.
Main image: dentistry.co.uk
