Jean’s Story

I am Jean, my granddaughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes aged 7 and my grandson at the young age of 13 months. Since their life-changing diagnosis, our family has tried to raise awareness of this lifelong – life threating condition. We have organised fundraising events and together, as a family,  we have raised over £55k for Diabetes research, and will continue until we find a practical cure.

In 2014 we, and some other parents/carers alongside Diabetes UK, set up Plymouth Sugar Zappers (PSZ) of which I am the Treasurer. We host trips, fun activities and educational events for the children and their families living with the condition with the aim of supporting one another with the ongoing daily battles of managing this very difficult condition.

I was invited to join the Experts by Experience program by another member of Well Connected and have enjoyed sharing our story and experiences and hope this may help inform and add an important angle to the learning of our future medical and healthcare professionals.