Africa, Hungary, France, Sweden
and three in Australia.
“I started sending bears to
children with type 1, along with a
journal, in which they could feel
special, feel part of a community,
and write or draw in the
journal about their
adventures with their
bear,” explains Donna.
“The bear and journal
are on loan for one
month, and the idea is
the children read each
other’s journal entries
and realise they are not
alone.” The bear’s
host family is also
encouraged to update
the Facebook group as
well, so other families
can see what their beloved bear
is up to both before and after
their visit. Some have even been
lucky enough to meet celebrities
like Nick Jonas and Robert
Downey Jr, as well as going
on a fundraising trek in Peru.
These bears are impacting
children in positive ways:
supported through a sense of
global camaraderie they are able
to overcome their obstacles.
Many children have had “that
moment of never having wanted
to speak out about diabetes”, says
Donna. “But with the help of the
bear’s presence they are suddenly
confident enough to elaborate
about type 1 to their class. Others
might never have wanted to do
injections but with the bear they
feel braver. That to me is what it’s
all about and it’s priceless.”
Each bear is named in memory
of loved ones, suggested in the
group or inspired by a diabetic
theme, such
as Pumpi, Spike,
Dex, Frederick (after
Frederick Banting,
the co-discoverer of
insulin), and Teddy
Ryder (after the first
boy to receive insulin).
“We even have an
adults’ bear!” Donna
laughs. “I did not
suggest this, and to be
honest I still think it’s
funny, but Gluco the
Monkey travels around,
visiting adults with type 1... and
as far as I hear, they all behave.”
Today, there are waitlists for
each of the bears, from children
of all ages – from “very little
people to teens” – waiting for
their own visitor. The only criteria
for your family to get involved in
this community is that you or
your child is living with type 1.
“It is important to remind
children that type 1 – although it
can feel huge and overwhelming- is not what defines them,” says
Donna. “They are made up of
amazing traits and abilities, and
they are very brave and special,
but diabetes should not control
them. Look after it, respect it,
but carry on being amazing.” ■
MEET SUGAR
Donna and her family have
raised over £10,000 ($18,000)
for Diabetes UK, JDRF (Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation)
and cancer charities. This desire
to fundraise started after Cerys’
struggle to come to terms with
changes diabetes brought to her
life. “Within a month of her being
diagnosed I decided to throw a
fundraising tea party, helping
Cerys to focus on inviting
friends,” says Donna. “Even
her head teacher came along!”One of Donna’s oldest bears – along with daughter Cerys- inspired her first book, The Adventures of Sugar The
Travelling Bear. Sugar helps children diagnosed with type
accept their health condition and feel less alone. Donna
also involved her other daughter, Alena-Mae, 13, who is
suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue
syndrome), to illustrate the book. Available on Amazon.
Robert
Downey Jr
and SugarKobe
with
HeroEmilia with
ArthurMichael with
NakamaI did say to
myself I
would stop
at 30 bears,
but here I
am with 50!
BIG HEART