Family dons blue in support of diabetic sister
RUITERHOF – Giving the colour blue a new meaning, the reason for her blue streaks.
Danelle du Toit (22), has suffered from diabetes for 11 years now. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 11 years old.
Danelle attended Laerskool Fontainebleau during the time she was diagnosed with diabetes.
She was in Grade 5 and was devastated when she found out because it was during her school concert.
She was very active in all her school activities, which made it harder for her when all her school friends enjoyed their time on stage while she was lying in hospital.
Her mother suspected something was wrong when Danelle suddenly started drinking a lot of liquids that resulted in her using the restroom on numerous occasions.
Her best friend’s mother was also diagnosed with diabetes and for insurance purposes, they went to her and tested her sugar levels. Her sugar levels showed 26 where it was supposed to be between four and seven.
They sought medical assistance and the doctor referred them to a hospital, where they diagnosed diabetes.
Du Toit said, “At that time I didn’t comprehend that the disease was going to be there forever.”
Du Toit said that during her time in the hospital she was alright but once she got home it got worse.
She had to weigh every single meal she wanted to eat. She had to weigh her rice, vegetables and then she had to inject herself with a certain amount of insulin depending on the carbs and weight of her food. She had to do this with everything she wanted to eat, even if it was just a snack.
She said, “It was pretty bad for me to get used to that routine every time I wanted to eat.”
During the first six months she used the insulin injections, but afterwards, she started using the insulin pump. The pump provides insulin to her every few minutes, which allows her to consume sugary treats. She sometimes shifts between the pump and the injection.
When she started on the injection the doctors tried to put her parents and brother in her shoes by only injecting the needle in their leg with no fluid inside, so that they can understand what she needs to go through every time she wants to eat.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, where supporters are encouraged to wear blue every Friday to support the cause.
Danelle’s brother, Divan took it a step further by dying streaks of his hair blue, like his sister. He does this every year to support her.
Danelle is in her last year of studies to become a teacher, she is currently working at a primary school, teaching Grade 3 youngsters.
ALSO READ: Applicants reminded to collect clearance certificates
