Camp fights diabetes

By Stephanie Kenez
HORSE riding, sailing and disco-dancing … Narre Warren’s Taylah Algie didn’t let the fact she has type one diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, slow her down during her last week of school holidays.
Instead, she spent the week in Mt Eliza on camp with Diabetes Camps Victoria, an initiative run by Diabetes Australia – Vic, Monash Children’s at Southern Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital.
The camps are in such high demand that Taylah hasn’t been able to get in for the past five years.
“I was a bit nervous at first because I wasn’t sure I wanted to go with all the new people, but once I was there I was pretty excited,” Taylah said.
The 13-year-old was diagnosed with type one diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t produce insulin that is required to turn sugar into energy, shortly before her fourth birthday.
She relies on an insulin pump to automatically inject synthetic insulin into her body as she needs it.
She also has to monitor her blood sugar levels and carbohydrate intake throughout the day.
“I like being on the insulin pump better than injections because you’re not as restricted; you can eat whenever you want and you can sleep in,” she said.
Over the four days Taylah was kept busy taking part in activities such as horse riding, sailing and a disco.
“I think I liked horse riding the most. This was the first time I got to ride one of the big horses,” Taylah said.
“One of the other highlights of the camp was getting my hair, make-up and nails done for the Halloween Disco.”
The camp also provided support and learning opportunities regarding how to better manage her disease.
“On the last day there was a question and answer session and we learnt how to manage our diabetes at school and how to tell our friends … it helped us a lot,” Taylah said.
“It also made me more grateful that I’m on the insulin pump and not on the injections still. It encouraged me to behave and be strict about monitoring my blood sugar levels.” Taylah said she hopes to go to the camp again and wants to become a camp leader when she turns 18.
To make a donation to Diabetes Camps Victoria phone 1300 136 588.