The South Eastern Trust Diabetes Team welcomed young people living with the condition and their parents to a One-Stop Shop information session at the Ulster Hospital.
The event gave young people aged 16-18 a chance to hear more about managing Diabetes, ask questions and learn more from the Specialist Team.
16-year-old Chloe Connors who attended the event with her Mum Julie and Dad Stephen, shared how much she enjoyed the information session. “It is great that other young people are here who also have Type 1 Diabetes. I manage my condition every day and it is good to get speaking to everyone and see the different stands and the types of technologies which are out there and the advancements so far in Diabetes care.
“When you live with Type 1 Diabetes, you can feel on your own. It is a 24/7 job that you have to continually manage. It’s nice to see other people who are dealing with that too.”
Diabetes Young Adult Transition Co-Ordinator, Catherine Harvey explained how the event, “Is an opportunity for young people living with Diabetes to build relationships with other people their age and hear more on making that transition from paediatric to adult Diabetes care.
“This informal event helps young people get to know us a bit better and that we want to build relationships. It lets them know that we are not just fully focused on the clinical side of things.
“At this time in a young person’ life who is living with Diabetes, there is a lot of transition happening, school to university and doing their exams. It is important to celebrate our young people. We can live so well with Diabetes and we want our young people to know that we are encouraging them and that they can achieve their goals.”
Diabetes Speciality Doctor, Dr Kathryn Robinson stressed, “This One Stop Shop is all about getting young people together and seeing those familiar faces from Paediatric Services in a non-clinical setting.
. Ulster Hospital’s Diabetes Young Adult Transition Co-ordinator Catherine Harvey and South Eastern Trust Diabetes Speciality Doctor Kathryn Robinson
“In the world of Diabetes we have come a long way. There has been so much development of digital technology and a lot more that young people might not be aware of. They will be living with Diabetes for years to come and it is events like this that will benefit them most.”