Elsie and Bonnie’s Blue Circle!

Elsie and Bonnie’s Blue Circle!

Thursday 9th Apr

This year, we will be walking alongside some of our amazing family and friends to raise awareness of this often misunderstood condition. There is still a great deal of stigma and many misconceptions surrounding its causes, and we hope to help change that.

Through this, we aim to raise awareness, challenge misunderstandings, and, along the way, raise some money for a truly worthwhile charity and an important cause.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body can no longer produce insulin, causing blood glucose levels to rise. Without insulin replacement, the body is unable to function properly.

It is important to understand that Type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet or by consuming too much sugar. It is not linked to lifestyle choices of any kind. Nothing you did—or didn’t do—caused it, and there is currently no way it could have been prevented.

Our stories:

Elsie:

In November 2022, Elsie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She had been unwell, and we noticed she was drinking excessive amounts of water and needing to use the toilet very frequently. These symptoms appeared very suddenly.

We initially took her to the doctor, where we were told it was likely a virus. However, we felt strongly that something more serious was going on. Trusting our instincts, we took her to urgent care later that same evening. There, blood and urine tests were carried out, which confirmed the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

Before Elsie’s diagnosis, we had very little knowledge of the condition. However, we quickly learned a great deal about managing the condition and how to keep Elsie safe. It came as a huge shock to us all.

Bonnie:

Bonnie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in October 2025. Before her diagnosis, we had noticed a few changes — she was drinking more than usual and having some meltdowns, which was very unlike her.

Around the same time, Bonnie also had a couple of seizures in her sleep. We were lucky enough to get a cancelled appointment with a children’s paediatrician. After asking a few questions and doing a simple blood glucose test, she diagnosed Bonnie with diabetes.

The seizures were later diagnosed as epilepsy and turned out to be unrelated to the diabetes. But in a way, they may have helped us — if it wasn’t for the seizures, we might not have realised something was wrong and Bonnie could have become very unwell with DKA.

Bonnie has a cousin Elsie with diabetes, so I was aware of some of the signs to look out for. Even so, I found it hard to believe this could really be happening to her. 

Both girls show incredible strength and bravery every day and have adapted remarkably well to the lifestyle changes. They take each day in their stride, supported not only by us as parents but also by their wonderful siblings.

We feel fortunate that both girls were diagnosed before developing diabetic ketoacidosis, as for many families, this is when the condition is first identified and can be life threatening. 

What is DKA?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication that can occur in people with diabetes. It develops when a lack of insulin causes harmful substances, known as ketones, to build up in the blood. DKA can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment in hospital.

The main signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:

• Frequent urination, as the body attempts to remove excess glucose through urine
• Increased thirst, often as a result of losing more fluids
• Extreme tiredness, as the body is unable to produce the energy it needs
• Unexplained weight loss, as the body begins to break down fat stores for energy

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. If you are experiencing any symptoms, request that a diabetes test be conducted, and if it has not been suggested, ask your doctor/nurse whether it could be a possibility. The test is quick and simple, and could save a life.

Any contribution, no matter how big or small, is deeply appreciated!

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