When my daughter Violet was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at just 11 months old, the world seemed to shift beneath my feet. The day it happened, while we now know otherwise, Violet seemingly became unwell overnight. She was showing signs of respiratory distress and I assumed it was simply a bug.
As her condition worsened and she was rushed to hospital, it quickly spiralled into a life-altering diagnosis. One day we were worried about the typical baby things like sleep schedules and weaning and the next we were thrust into a world of managing a chronic autoimmune condition.
At three years old, Violet now carries her diagnosis with the kind of confidence only a toddler can muster, and I find myself navigating a world that’s equal parts challenging and inspiring, while also caring for her newborn sister, Delilah.
Life with type 1 diabetes
As a new mother, Violet’s diagnosis brought an unrelenting awareness. The carefree motherhood I had envisioned now comes with constant vigilance. Nights are now spent monitoring her glucose levels and responding to alarms; a mobile phone is now a lifeline as it connects to her continuous glucose monitor.
For Violet, life with T1D is all she knows, but it isn’t always easy. Simple childhood pleasures like jumping on a trampoline, riding a bike or swimming require forward planning and stringent observation—adjusting insulin, timing snacks and monitoring her glucose levels to ensure she is safe. She navigates these intrusions and inconveniences with a level of patience and maturity well beyond her three years.
Like any three-year-old, Violet’s curiosity and energy is boundless, which is both a blessing and a challenge when you live with T1D. As she grows older, her independence is emerging, and with it comes the realisation that she will need to eventually understand her condition in ways she cannot yet grasp. She knows T1D and her devices are part of her life, but the weight of what they represent has not yet settled on her shoulders. For now, I carry that burden and will continue to do so until she is ready and capable to do it herself.
Fears of history repeating
Following Violet’s diagnosis, expanding our family was a decision not taken lightly. The potential of having another child with T1D is confronting and knowing that Violet’s diagnosis increased a sibling’s likelihood of also developing T1D gave us pause.
Ultimately, however, we decided we could not let T1D dictate our family’s future. We couldn’t imagine a life without Violet, and we knew that if a future baby faced the same challenge, we’d meet it head-on.
Delilah’s arrival has brought immeasurable joy and we couldn’t picture our family without her in it. Our journey with Delilah has been different to Violet. As we navigate all of the firsts with Delilah, I am often consumed with worry that the simple things babies do may be missed signs of T1D. Overcoming this is a challenge I continue to face.
Adjusting to life as a mother of two has been a journey of its own. Juggling a toddler with a 24/7 chronic illness along with a newborn is no small feat, but it’s in the little moments that I find balance. Watching my daughters interact with each other in their own funny ways reminds me that joy and chaos can coexist. T1D doesn’t define Violet, nor does it overshadow the joy and happiness that fills our home.
The introduction of Omnipod technology has been transformative for our family. Having a tubeless and waterproof insulin pump gives Violet the freedom to swim, jump and play with fewer interruptions, as it eliminates the need for multiple daily injections. This technology is more than a tool; it’s a bridge to a life where T1D takes a backseat to childhood. Violet’s ability to swim or to enjoy a bath without removing her access to insulin, for example, has allowed us to maintain some of that normalcy that living with T1D can take away.
Lessons learned
Parenting a child with T1D has reshaped my perspective on motherhood in countless ways. I’ve become a more determined person, leveraging off what our family has experienced to educate, fundraise and create awareness about type 1 diabetes. I have learnt to advocate fiercely, question everything and embrace being “that” parent who won’t settle for less than the best for their children.
While Violet’s diagnosis has also altered the course of my life—affecting relationships, my career and personal aspirations—I’ve discovered a resilience within myself that I didn’t know I had.
To other parents facing a T1D diagnosis, I offer this: life will find its rhythm again. The cloud will lift. There again will be laughter, milestones to be excited about and moments of pure, unfiltered joy. Yes, there will be challenges and dark days where it all feels impossible, but the tough times will shape not just your child’s character but yours as well.
More than two years since diagnosis, the grief often overwhelms me. But as parents, I firmly believe we do not have the option to give up; we have to show our children that despite the extra hurdles they will face, they have the potential to live long and productive lives.
Violet’s journey has shown me that life doesn’t stop because she lives with T1D—it adapts as she grows and thrives. I think about T1D as a rock in the stream. The water doesn’t stop flowing, it bends around the obstruction and forges a new path.
For those beginning this journey, know that you are not alone. Reach out to communities of other parents who have walked this road. I have met some of my most treasured friends through the T1D community and I’m so grateful to have them. Together, we forge a path forward, proving that life—messy, unpredictable and wonderful—continues with hope and determination.
Looking forward
Sometimes, I think about what the future holds for Violet and I worry about the uncertainties. Will she face challenges in school, navigating friendships and extracurricular activities while managing her condition? Possibly. But I also know she will grow into a young woman with an unparalleled resilience.
These are lessons most of us learn much later in life, but for Violet, they are woven into the fabric of her being. She is already showing signs of this strength by explaining her devices to curious peers and attending advocacy events. Watching her embrace her uniqueness fills me with pride and reminds me that she is not defined by her diagnosis but by her character and spirit.
As I watch Violet and Delilah together, I am reminded of the good in our life. T1D is a part of our story, but it’s not the whole story.
Among the toddler and baby craziness, our days are filled with love and laughter, and I know that we can face whatever comes next, together. I hope that our story can inspire other families navigating similar challenges.
Life with T1D is not without its hurdles, but it is also filled with building a new-found resilience, strength and an appreciation for the small moments that make life so precious.
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From fear to hope: Lessons learned from my daughter's type 1 diabetes journey
