Two years ago, healthy eight-year-old Chloe Stones from Corio suddenly became unwell.
Chloe could barely stand up before becoming completely breathless.
Concerned mum Fiona took her daughter to the doctor where she was told Chloe might have asthma and was sent home.
But later that night Fiona sensed something was wrong and immediately took Chloe to the emergency department.
Chloe went into diabetic ketoacidosis and her condition became life-threatening.
“I was told if I hadn’t of taken her then that night she could’ve fallen into a coma,” Fiona said.
In emergency, Chloe finally received the correct diagnosis, she had type 1 diabetes.
With no knowledge or family history of the condition, Chloe’s diagnosis came as a shock to Fiona.
“We spent a week in hospital, it felt like our whole world was turned upside down,” she said.
“Chloe was the only student at her school with it, she felt so different to anyone else.”
The now 10-year-old is able to manage her condition, but she still faces day-to-day challenges.
“She uses an insulin pump that provides her with insulin every day, and she counts her carbs for everything she eats,” Fiona said.
“She’ll be dealing with this for the rest of her life.”
Chloe’s diagnosis took a toll on her family, but it also brought them into contact with a loving community through Geelong-based charity Type 1 Foundation.
The volunteer organisation provides emotional support to those dealing with the chronic condition.
In Geelong, more than 200 children under 18 are living with type 1 diabetes, according to the foundation.
“Not only do they do a lot of work at creating awareness, but they also provide a lot of important support and connections,” Fiona said.
The not-for-profit foundation launched their 1000 Beanies campaign last week to help fund free camps for children with diabetes and their families.
So far an excess of 1200 beanies have sold since, raising more than $30,000.
“Camps are important as they allow type 1 kids to be meet and share their experiences with one another,” Fiona said.
The campaign will run until the end of August, to buy a beanie visit type1foundation.com.au.
