A mum’s story about her son’s experience with type 1 diabetes has helped a charity raise tens of thousands of pounds.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) collected nearly £70,000 in donations at its glitzy 2018 fundraising ball, in part thanks to primary school teacher Jane Veitch.
Her 11-year-old son Stuart was diagnosed with the condition four years ago.
Mrs Veitch, who lives in Alford, noticed that he had become tired and withdrawn but initially put it down to him being out of routine during the summer holidays.
But then she spotted his “insatiable thirst”, with led to a doctor’s appointment and a series of blood tests.
Doctors then confirmed that Stuart was diabetic but his mum said he was determined to not let it slow him down.
She said: “Stuart’s life changed the moment the doctor said he was Type 1 diabetic, but he has never let his diabetes stop him from doing anything.
“And with careful planning and preparation – we do our best to control diabetes – it does not control Stuart or our family.”
While her son is trying to live his life as normally as he can, Mrs Veitch said it can be difficult to see him cope with the condition.
“So far, he has endured around 8,000 finger prick tests to monitor his blood glucose levels and over 5,300 insulin injections,” she said.
“We’ve had to do these on street corners in the dark with a torch waiting to see Santa, under trees when we’re out, out sledging – you name it, we’ve been there.
“Stuart must carry his blood testing kit with him wherever he goes in case his blood glucose levels drop too low.
“The impulsiveness of childhood has been robbed from him – he cannot ‘just leave the house’ to play with his friends without first checking his blood glucose level, having a snack and making sure he has all his medical supplies.”
Because of the toll it takes on Stuart’s life, Mrs Veitch has begun dedicating time to the JDRF to help it towards its goal of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
She added: “Stuart never gets a day off from this condition.
“It is there every day, on his birthday, on Christmas day, on holiday, on a school trip, on a play date with his friends – it never goes away.
“And every now and then it pops up to remind us how serious it can get when his blood sugars drop or rise and he encounters hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia.
“I just want my little boy, and all the other 29,000 Scots with type 1 diabetes, to be cured and the only way this can be done is through research.”
Catriona Morrice from JDRF said: “Hearing Jane’s story was so touching and a reminder how much we need to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
“We’re so grateful that kind-hearted people supported us at the Swan Lake Ball – and all the others for the last 10 years – to help raise funds towards research.”
To find out more, visit jdrf.org.uk
