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Donated pump a blessing for Kye

Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe busy one-year-old toddler Kye Gilbert was extremely unwell in Perth Children’s Hospital’s critical care unit with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes just a few months ago.

Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe busy one-year-old Kye Gilbert was extremely unwell in Perth Children’s Hospital’s critical care unit with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes just a few months ago.

Kye’s mother Shanan said in a matter of just a few weeks, Kye started going backwards with his development, was less active, had a lot of wet nappies and was drinking and sleeping a lot too.

She said though there was a family history of type 2 diabetes, there had been no type 1 diabetes in the family for at least three generations. 

Shanan said Kye’s diagnosis came as a shock but after some initial sadness, she felt relief knowing that the condition could be managed.

Being so young, Kye’s insulin doses were minute and only an insulin pump could deliver the micro doses required to keep his blood glucose levels within normal range.

At the time of diagnosis, the young family did not have private health insurance but fortunately, Kye received a donated pump generously sponsored by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) and managed by PCH’s Diabetes Service’s donated pump scheme.

After some pump education while in hospital and a few clinic appointments, Kye and his family are doing well.

Shanan said the pump was a blessing as she didn’t have to inject her “tiny little baby” with insulin. It also allowed her time to arrange private health insurance in time for when Kye needed a new pump, she said.

Luise Russell, PCH’s Senior Coordinator Diabetes Service, said the clinic team was extremely grateful to the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation who had donated insulin pumps to approximately 30 families over the past two years.

“It is with their help that families who require support can access recommended treatment for their child after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes,” she said.