Dallas: “Can I still play rugby mama?”

My gut feeling was correct. Correct but heart breaking for our Dallas aged 9.

Upon being tested, Dallas’ first question was “Can I still play rugby mama?” We frantically googled rugby players and other athletes with this condition.

His BGL was 26!

After a few days in Christchurch hospital, we, as a whole whānau, learnt a truck load of new information regarding our lives ahead with Type 1 Diabetes.

It has been three months now. Luckily for us, our Dallas is an observant, intelligent, patient and responsible little man. A whiz at blood pricking! And can administer his own insulin if he is in a situation where he has to. But I am more than happy to do it whenever I can. After all, Dallas has a life time of doing it ahead of himself.

Thanks to the amazing team from Diabetes NZ, Dallas is so much healthier and happier all around.

His athletic skills have improved already drastically which is evident in everyone’s eyes. And more importantly, Dallas feels it in himself.

He IS a rugby player (a very good one indeed) and a very keen hunter. Overall a very active 10 year old.

Funding for CGM would be “out of this world” helpful for a growing active young lad like Dallas and for so many others like him here in Aotearoa.

Blood pricking will always be needed. We wholeheartedly understand that. However, to have an affordable CGM would just mean that a baby, a child, an adult or parents of a child with this condition can have a quicker and easier access to ensure good monitoring.

Personally for us; it’s a piece of mind. Especially when Dallas is not with us; when hunting in the bush, just before his big rugby match, school camps and for the other carers and so on. And off course when he is older and leaves his nest out of my watchful eyes!!!

But for Dallas. Having to prick for blood averaging 4 times a day,

For everyday.

For the rest of his life.