Sophie
Our incredible ambassador Sophie was flagged by her GP at about 21 months for not growing as expected. Her family spent months reviewing her weight and attempting to ensure her diet was high in calories to help her gain weight. She had made some progress so it was decided there was nothing too serious happening.
Sophie was still unwell and very tired all the time, so more tests were done. A urine test showed glucose, and a subsequent finger prick blood test showed elevated blood glucose. Sophie was sent straight to Christchurch Hospital Child Acute Assessment.
Sophie was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes, which came as a huge shock to her family.
Her mum Jenny says it was a real learning curve being taught how to manager diabetes in two days.
Sophie took it all so well – going from a girl who cried every time the nurses took her blood sugars to a girl who happily picked a toe to prick.
In April 2016, Sophie was put on an insulin pump which has been another big learning curve, but it has been a good move and provides more flexibility with her eating.
There has been a lot of tough times in the last year, Jenny says;
Other special ambassadors
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BenBenjamin was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and Hydrocephalus at his Mum Catherine’s 20-week antenatal anatomy scan.
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LuccaLucca was diagnosed with an extremely rare and highly aggressive cancer called Epethelioid Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Sarcoma when she was just 16 months old.
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PaigePaige was born on December 6, 2021, entering the world prematurely at just 23 weeks and 4 days gestation, and weighing a tiny 525 grams
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EvaEva was born with only half a diaphragm after suffering a diaphragmatic hernia during fetal development.
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IslaIsla lives with type 1 diabetes. While type 1 diabetes is currently incurable, there are treatments available, but unfortunately all have a considerable impact on a person’s day-to-day life.
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JeremyBorn at 29 weeks and 5 days, Jeremy is one of the approximately 700 babies born preterm each year.
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MelaMela is diagnosed with an incredibly rare condition called Moebius syndrome
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Amelia & GraceTwins Grace and Amelia were born prematurely at 27 weeks. They have extreme chronic lung disease and Grace had her first open heart bypass surgery at 8 weeks of age.
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CorinCorin lives with a very rare genetic heart condition
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AddisonAddison was diagnosed with a staph infection, which caused damage to her heart.
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IsabellaBella was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at her Mothers 27-week anatomy scan
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HunterHunter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after his family noticed he was always thirsty and that his moods had changed.
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Matt JohnsonMeet Matt Johnson, a former midfielder for the Blues rugby team. Matt had rheumatic fever when he was 13 and has been experiencing severe heart problems ever since.
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SophieA urine test showed glucose, and a subsequent finger prick blood test showed elevated blood glucose.
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RichieHe had a persistent cough, had lost weight and become so lethargic he was short of breath even when lying flat on a bed.
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KaseKase lives with cystic fibrosis, a condition is typically detected at birth, but Kase was diagnosed at 8.
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JaideJaide lives with chronic asthma and type-1 diabetes.
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JacksonJackson had a tumour the size of a tennis ball attached to his optic nerve.
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FinnFinn was diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart, when his mother was 20 weeks pregnant.
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FinlayFinlay was diagnosed with type -1 diabetes at three-years-old.
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ChloeOur gorgeous little ambassador Chloe has suffered respiratory issues since she was an infant.
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BrookeAt six years old, Brooke was diagnosed with gelastic seizures.
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BraydenIn 2009, Brayden was cooking noodles when his t-shirt caught fire from the stove element. He received burns to 45 percent of his body.
