The main focus of Thriveabetes and it’s reason for being is that we, people with type 1 diabetes, felt the psychological effects of living with type 1 diabetes just weren’t being talked about anywhere. This is why I was so excited when I saw that a project called "The Positive and Negative Psychological Effects of Type 1 Diabetes on Children" at this year’s BT Young Scientist Exhibition. I was so thrilled I heard that they came first in their category: Social & Behavioural Sciences 1st place Junior group. The teenagers in question are Sarah Healy and Miriam Murphy and they attend Cork Scoil Mhuiregan Smál, Blarney, Co. Cork. I’m thrilled to let you all know that Sarah and Miriam are bringing their project to our Thriveabetes Exhibition.

Here is a guest post written by 13 year old Sarah.

The positive and negative Psychological effects of Type 1 Diabetes on children.

By Sarah Healy

My name is Sarah, I am 13 year years old, and living with type 1 diabetes for the past 3 years. In November 2014 at the age of 9, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It changed my life forever. I got great support from the diabetes team and my family. I started out on insulin injections but now I'm on an insulin pump which has been a very positive impact on my life. Having type 1 diabetes has been an emotional rollercoaster.

I experienced many daily challenges and stresses and found that there was no psychological support available on the diabetes team to help me deal with these challenges. After talking to other type 1 diabetic friends, I realized many more had the same diabetes stress and challenges without any support.

As a result I decided to take the opportunity of the BT Young Scientist Exhibition and it was my incentive and the reason behind this project. As a result of my experience, I felt there was a need to investigate the positive and negative psychological effects of type 1 diabetes on children, and to research the need and services available for psychological support.

I also wanted to highlight the need for support services and the lack of services available. Also to see if we could come up with a solution to these problems. I also wanted to create awareness of type 1 diabetes.

About the project

We wanted to examine the psychological challenges of living with type 1 diabetes in the 8 to 15 year age group in Ireland. We decided to do this by:

• Investigating the positive aspects of living with type 1 Diabetes
• Identifying the negative aspects of living with type 1 Diabetes
• Exploring the need for psychological support services for children with type 1 Diabetes
• And to ascertain the current available psychological supports for children with type 1 Diabetes in Ireland
• We also wanted to develop a novel technological strategy to improve psychological support for children with type 1 Diabetes

 

I can’t wait to hear more about the girls project and to meet both Sarah and Miriam. Here are some of the diabetes themed projects participating in The BT Young Scientist Exhibition this year:

Presentation College Cork Can full fat milk help control diabetes?

Louth St Vincent’s Secondary School A comparative study into the reported advantages and disadvantages of Insulin pumps.

Tipperary Presentation Secondary School Comparing CSII (Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion) with MDI (Multiple Daily Injections) in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Wexford Creagh College Dia-beating Hypos

 

REGISTER HERE

Thriveabetes” is a one-day conference for people living with type 1 diabetes, or for people who care about someone with type 1 diabetes.

It takes place on Saturday, February 24th in The Red Cow Hotel.

*** Advanced registration is required. Find out more HERE.