Diabetes Can’t Stop Me by Helen Edwards and Cheryll Johns

Description

Diabetes Dino hates having diabetes.

Sometimes, he hides underneath the covers and doesn’t want to come out.

The other children don’t seem to understand.

Nobody does.

But then, Dino discovers he’s not the only one with diabetes when he meets the amazing Diabetes Dragon.

Dragon doesn’t let anything hold him back.

He shows Dino he shouldn’t either!

Most importantly, he shows Dino he is never alone.

Growing up with type 1 diabetes can be tough. There are lots of things children and their families may find hard. Daily management tasks can become battlegrounds and life with type 1 diabetes can be an emotional rollercoaster.

Diabetes Can’t Stop Me was written in 2014 when I was running my diabetes charity, Diabetes Counselling Online. I wanted to offer families a resource which takes some of the stress and worry out of managing diabetes. And Diabetes Dino was born! Alongside the picture book, we developed soft toys from the two characters – Diabetes Dino and Dragon – who have spots on their tummies for insulin injections, pumps and CGM sites.

Growing up with my own diabetes struggles, working as a social worker for 25 years and using play therapy in my practice, as well as having hundreds of conversations with families about their daily lives with diabetes, all led to the creation of Diabetes Dino.

Although I have developed greatly as a writer since 2014, this story remains an important one and one which I hope will help you and your child to have a calmer, happier and healthier relationship with diabetes.

Knowing you’re not the only one and you are not alone is a huge step in this process.

Please note, Diabetes Counselling Online is no longer operational. Please talk with your GP or diabetes educator or specialist if you have any concerns about your child’s diabetes and/or their mental health.

Helen