Jerry - a Brave Bear for Kiwi kids
Diabetes NZ’s Brave Bear pack for children has been flying off the shelves since it was launched in November. Cassy Hay, and her daughter Zanthia, 4, from Katikati, explain how it’s been helping them learn about diabetes.
How has Jerry helped Zanthia learn about type 1 diabetes? Jerry gives her diabetes a bit more normality. She’s got her little friend that’s type 1 like her. We’ve been trying to get her to try injections in her bottom and she’s not keen, but we’ve recently heard her talking to Jerry about it. “Should I do it in your bum… Oh nah, next time.” Jerry is helping her process this information.
What is your favourite thing about Jerry? Probably that you can give him insulin and finger pricks. It is quite “real”. Zanthia will do it herself and then question why Jerry is experiencing certain symptoms, and I will talk her through it. It’s been a lot of learning for both of us.
Has Jerry helped others learn about Zanthia’s diabetes? She’s taken him to preschool a couple of times and they play the app on the iPad. She’s really good at preschool, she owns her diabetes. She lets them choose a spot for when she has to have “tummy medicine” (her insulin). Zanthia happily shared her diabetes story with everyone when she took Jerry to visit.
What did receiving a Brave Bear pack from Diabetes NZ mean for Zanthia and your family? It’s amazing. You don’t get a lot of things for free these days and this is something that’s going to help us with Zanthia’s diabetes. She was so excited about receiving it. We’re pretty lucky, Jerry is pretty special.
Click here to find out how you can apply for a Brave Bear pack.
Thank you to Denise L’Estrange-Corbet and WORLD for designing the Brave Bear bags and Beyond Type 1 for sharing Jerry the Bear with New Zealand.
A type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be a scary and confusing time for the whole family and inevitably leads to all sorts of questions. That’s why Diabetes NZ created the Brave Bear pack for newly diagnosed children. Each pack includes Jerry the Bear, who also has type 1 diabetes.
With the help of a special app, Jerry shares how you can still play with your friends, take part in sport, and enjoy your life to the full, while learning more about managing your diabetes.
Since 2017, Diabetes NZ has sent packs to 63 children aged between 4-10 years. They are so popular we can’t keep up with demand.
We need your help to ensure that every newly diagnosed child can receive a free Brave Bear pack with Jerry the Bear.
Please help a child with diabetes
Please make a donation to give a child like Zanthia a reason to smile.
Click here or below and put JERRY in the comments section so we know where you’d like your donation to go.