ANOTHER side of a Kinmel Bay teen's life with Diabetes has come under the spotlight for World Diabetes Day.

The theme for today's (Wednesday) annual awareness raising campaign is family, with charity Diabetes UK taking the opportunity to highlight the impact that the condition can have not just on those living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but also on their loved ones.

Anna and Marc Macauley, both 50, are the parents of 18 year old Gracie May, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2012.

Gracie had all the warning symptoms of Type 1 diabetes – tired, toilet, thirsty, thinner – which we were unaware of at the time. We took her to the doctors and the nurse tested her sugars. We were on the children’s ward within the hour.

Anna said: “We couldn’t believe what was happening, everything unfolded so fast. Once she had her first insulin injection I knew our lives would change forever. Although the hospital staff were marvellous we felt really lost, it would have been helpful if we could have spoken to staff or other parents about our concerns when she was first diagnosed.

“We gave Gracie her injections, took her to doctors’ appointments, checked her levels and did everything we needed to do to keep her alive and healthy. At first it was overwhelming, because we had to quickly understand a condition we knew nothing about and it could be isolating and scary. We didn’t know where to turn for help or advice.

Research from Diabetes UK has found that – alongside those living with the condition – parents and carers of children and adults with diabetes experience emotional or mental health problems.

The online survey showed that more than three quarters - 77 percent - of respondents said that they sometimes or often feel down because of their family member’s diabetes.

The factors impacting on parents’ and carers’ emotional wellbeing are numerous and complex. In further insight work, carers of children with Type 1 diabetes, for example, told Diabetes UK it was challenging when people around them did not understand the realities of their child’s condition, and said that emotional support would reduce the strain on them to ‘appear strong’ at all times.

Anna added:“Now that Gracie is 18 we worry about her driving and how she’s managing the condition at university. We want her to live the usual student life but it’s hard when we constantly want to know where she is in case we need to get her in an emergency. We’re trying to let go, but we can’t. Diabetes is a condition that she will have to live with for the rest of her life, and we are always going to worry about it.

“It’s heartbreaking when Gracie gets upset about her diabetes, especially when she’s in physical pain. We just wish we could make it all better.

“As parents, sometimes we too need someone to tell us that everything will be OK. Gracie is great at managing the condition and we have made some amazing supportive friends along her journey. We have fundraised as a family for Diabetes UK Cymru and helped to raise awareness of the condition, which has brought us closer together.”