Emma Jefford

My Story

When our son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 12 years old, he was critically ill and we had no idea.

We had absolutely no understanding of the symptoms. It wasn’t until I watched an episode of Call the Midwife that I began to realise something might be seriously wrong. I didn’t know what, but we got him to hospital, where DKA was confirmed and he began treatment.

It is difficult to think about what might have happened if we hadn’t recognised that something was wrong.

That experience made me realise just how little many of us know about the signs of type 1 diabetes, and how important awareness can be. Symptoms can be easy to overlook or mistake for something else, particularly in children and young people. Knowing what to look for could make a real difference.

What should have been a really carefree time in our son’s childhood suddenly became frightening and uncertain, and our family had to learn how to do things differently.

There was an overwhelming amount to take in…the medical side, the practicalities of managing diabetes every day, and the emotional impact of what had happened to our child.

There was also grief.

We grieved for what we felt we had lost: the carefree childhood we had imagined for him, and the future we had assumed would be straightforward.

He was still the same wonderful boy, but life had changed in an instant. We had to find a way to move forward while carrying that grief with us.

In many ways, we had to start again, learning how to be parents to him. There were new routines, new responsibilities, new worries and a constant need to learn. Most importantly, we have had to, and continue to help him learn to live with something that will be with him every single day - no matter how much he hates it (or us at times)!

And then came the teenage years, going back to school and facing all the challenges that come with being a teenager, alongside managing type 1 diabetes.

GCSE years were certainly not without their difficulties. The stress and pressure of exams had a real impact on his diabetes, with frequent hypos and hypers adding another layer of challenge at a time when he was already dealing with the demands of studying, exams and everything else that comes with being a young person.

The exam period itself was another level! Screenshots of bloods, requests to the exam boards for consideration, balancing breakfasts and incessant phone calls to the school to check in on him. 

Despite all of that, he kept going.

Today, we are incredibly proud parents. He has just smashed his GCSEs, and seeing how far he has come is something we will never take for granted.

His determination, hard work and resilience have been extraordinary. The little boy we were so frightened for at diagnosis is now a young man looking towards his future, and we couldn’t be prouder of him.

But his achievement has also made me reflect on something bigger.

I know that not every child has access to the same opportunities and support that our son has had. Working in education has given me a real understanding of how much a child’s circumstances can influence their opportunities, confidence and outcomes.

Circumstances should never have to deflect from talent and potential. Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover what they are capable of, regardless of the circumstances into which they were born or the challenges they face.

Talent and potential are everywhere, but opportunity isn’t always distributed equally.

That’s why I’m walking.

I’m taking on this challenge to raise funds to support young people who may not have had the same opportunities as our son. I want to play a small part in helping redress that balance, while also raising awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and the importance of recognising them.

Our experience has made me realise that awareness matters. I had no idea what the symptoms meant until something happened to make me look twice. I would never want another parent to be in that position without knowing what they might be looking for.

Our son’s journey has taught us so much about resilience, perseverance and not taking anything for granted. His GCSE results are a moment for our family to celebrate, but I also want to use that moment to help create opportunities for other young people, and hopefully help more people recognise the signs of type 1 diabetes before it is too late. 

So, I’m putting one foot in front of the other and walking for something that matters.

If you can spare anything to support my fundraising, I would be incredibly grateful. Every donation, however small, can help make a difference.

Thank you for reading, for supporting me, and for helping me walk at least a little way towards a future where a young person’s circumstances don’t stand in the way of what they can achieve, and where more families know the signs that could make a difference.