PARENTS welcomed a new system that saves them having to visit their diabetic son’s school daily to inject him.
David and Catherine Hacker used to drive to Tiptree Heath Primary to give Freddie, ten, one of his four daily jabs.
But since a teacher learned how to administer the injection, Catherine is free to find more work.
As part of its Children’s Charter, the charity, Diabetes UK, is urging other schools to follow Tiptree Heath’s example.
Office worker Mrs Hacke said: “I only work part-time, so it has not affected me that much, but now I can get a full-time job.
“From Freddie’s viewpoint, it has helped him be a little more independent without me having to come in to do the jab.
“In a lot of schools, many children don’t get the support we receive now.’’ The couple’s other son, Bob, 16, also has diabetes. He was diagnosed at secondary school and now uses a pump that gradually administers the insulin he needs to stop glucose building up in his blood.
Having seen one son with diabetes, Catherine quickly spotted similar symptons in Freddie when he was two.
The family has to be extra-vigilant to make sure neither son has a “hypo”, often blurred eyesight or feeling confused as a result of a lack of glucose.
Before they have injections, they have to check their carbohydrate consumption.
Mrs Hacker said: “The children look OK and people assume everything’s fine.
“But even to do PE, they have to have a sugary snack beforehand, otherwise they could go hypo.”
Much of the family’s support comes from Colchester General Hospital and the paediatric diabetic nurse there. Mrs Hacker said: “When Bob was diagnosed, she went to Mersea outdoor activity centre every day to inject him. They are fantastic.”
Diabetes UK wants people to sign up to its Children’s Charter, which outlines how Essex schools can give the best support to diabetic children. Fpor more details, visit diabetes .org.uk/childrenscharter
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