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Catherine McGinty, 19 Apr
Altnagelvin Parents Group has developed Diabetes starter packs for all
newly diagnosed families with Type 1 diabetes before they are
discharged from hospital. The starter pack was developed in Partnership
with Sion Swifts 2011.
It was launched on Friday, April 7 in Derry's Everglades Hotel, with
the kind support of Altnagelvin Parents' Group Committee and Emer
Rabbett, a Pope John Paul II student from St Mary's College.
Speaking at the event, Lisa Storey, Chairperson of Altnagelvin Parents
Support Group said: “A huge thanks to Sion Swifts for fundraising for
these packs by organising a football tournament in November 2022. As a
result we are delighted to be able to donate 100 of these packs to the
Children’s Ward in Altnagelvin Hospital.
"Two parents from Sion Swifts kindly got in touch last year, Claire
Duncan and Coach Kieran Boyle as they wanted to give something back as
a result of the great level of care both their boys received after
being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“This was also an opportunity to launch ‘Altnagelvin Diabetes Parents’,
a new Facebook closed group specifically for parents raising children
with Type 1 Diabetes and attending Altnagelvin Hospital.
"It will be an online forum for local peer support, a place where
parents can share a sense of belonging and support each other, share
information, answer questions, nurture friendships and increase
self-confidence."
Families, local organisations and representatives from the Western
Trust attended the launch of the Starter Pack.
The guest speakers were Mary McKenna, Assistant Director of Healthcare
and Lead Nurse, Women & Children’s Directorate at Western Trust; Sandra
Duffy Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Parent
representative and Sion Swifts Coach Kieran Boyle and son Jamie who
read out a jointly written letter for children to read.
There was also a special video message from New Zealand author of
children’s book Supper Sammy, Josh Hall.
Lisa Storey added: "We are delighted to launch our diabetes starter
packs as well as our online support group ‘Altnagelvin Diabetes
Parents’, for families raising children with Type 1 Diabetes.
"Myself and Deirdre Cassidy our Treasurer have thoroughly enjoyed
working on this project with all partners involved. We understand how
much stress parents can be experiencing when leaving hospital for the
first time with a new diagnosis, its can feel life changing for the
family.
"We appreciate the value and importance of parents supporting each
other on their journey and strengthening working in partnership with
the team on the Childrens Ward."
Clare Duncan who is a parent added: "We were delighted with the launch
of the new packs. As a parents of children diagnosed with Type 1
Diabetes we put a lot of thought into the contents of the packs and
feel evert item serves an important purpose for both the children and
the parents. Thanks to Altnagelvin Parents Group for all their amazing
help."
Concluding, Michelle Bryson, Lead Nurse Childrens Acute, WHSCT, added:
"Once again a big thank you to Altnagelvin Parents Group for the
essential supplies kit for our newly diagnosed children with diabetes
and for all they have done for us to date. We are deeply indebted and
also a big thank you to Sion Swifts who raised the money to cover the
costs of these packs."
If you are raising a child who has Type 1 Diabetes this is the link to
Altnagelvin Diabetes Parents closed Group:
https://www.facebook.com/ groups/235402305648644/?ref=
share_group_link.