Ep. 9: Daniel on Being Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as a Teenager

Has your teenager had to deal with something life-changing? Life can be tough, and when something big happens to change your child's landscape it can suddenly throw them right off the track they thought they were on, and into what can feel like quite a scary place for the whole family. Daniel Newman is HR Advisor at JDRF, the charity dedicated to Type 1 Diabetes awareness and research. He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - a life-threatening disability - when he was 10. Although he handled things well to begin with, things took a more difficult turn for him when he started secondary school, and didn't want to stick out as being the one with the disability. Teenage years are often when children start to wobble with previously well-managed situations. Daniel ended up failing his GCSE's because he simply couldn't engage with school as well as dealing with the implications of his diabetes. But he says that wake up call gave him a can-do attitude that he thinks everyone can learn from scratch. My guests always tell me that they wished they'd been able to talk to their parents, but Daniel – who isn't a parent – goes one step further and tells parents how he thinks they might be able to break through the wall that teenagers often put up when we try to get them to open up. Have a listen, it's certainly made me rethink my strategy when I want to know what's going on inside my teenagers heads!  I think Daniel's learning curve is a fascinating insight into just how possible it is to turn things around even when you're at your lowest. I love the fact that he started with just tiny goals to make himself feel positive about his progress, and start turning the curve upwards. I also think his advice to parents about how to engage on their teen's level is a genius way to get them to open up and start a more natural conversation about what's worrying them. You can find Daniel on Twitter [https://twitter.com/t1d_dan] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/t1d_dan/]. You also can listen to his podcast on living with Type 1 Diabetes - The Talking Type 1 Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-talking-type-1-podcast/id1504450067]. Further Resources * JDRF [https://jdrf.org.uk/] - information and support on living with Type 1 Diabetes * The Mix [https://www.themix.org.uk/] is a charity dedicated to supporting young people with mental health struggles * See if your diagnosis is a recognised disability [https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability], and find out what help you can get * Facebook groups offer a lot of support - try the Parents of Type 1 Teens in the UK [https://www.facebook.com/groups/228837803846726/] group * If you're worried about diabetes complications, and you're on Twitter, have a look at tweets by The Grumpy Pumper [https://twitter.com/grumpy_pumper], who talks openly about his experiences of foot ulcers. There are lots more episodes of the Teenage Kicks podcast – do have a browse and see if I've covered anything else you might find useful. And if you have a suggestion of something you'd like to see talked about on the podcast please do email me on teenagekickspodcast@gmail.com I have loads more fabulous guests coming up to help families navigate some of the most complicated – but wonderful – teenage parenting years. I've also got some posts on the blog that might help parents with other teenage parenting dilemmas, so do. Pop over to Actually Mummy [https://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/] if you fancy a read. Thank you so much for listening! 

Om Podcasten

Welcome to the Teenage Kicks podcast, where we take the fear out of parenting - or becoming - a teenager. The internet is full of parenting advice, from when you feel those first baby kicks, until they reach secondary school. And then it stops. No one is talking about teen parenting problems; so we’re going to. Essential listening for teenagers and their parents, as well as those who work with young adults; Teenage Kicks has teen mental health at its core, and each episode will empower young people to tackle their own problems, and give parents the guidance to know how to help them. Each week Helen speaks to real individuals who've experienced the issues that young people are dealing with now, and they don't sugar-coat it. From exam nerves and career worries to issues around sexuality and consent, we get tips and advice from expert guests who understand what it’s like to be a teenager today. Helen will also be chatting about tough teenage problems like cyberbullying and self-harm, drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, all with a heavy dose of reality from someone who's been there and made it through to the other side. Teenage Kicks for Parents: As parents, we understand some of our kids’ struggles, but let’s face it, it’s been a while, and things have moved on since we last panicked over a detention! Teenage choices today can seem alien to their parents because teenage life has changed so dramatically since we were young. Teenage Kicks helps you unravel topics like social media, sexting and teen self-esteem so that you can figure out what your child needs support with, and what’s just normal teenage behaviour.   Teenage Kicks for Teens: Teenagers and parents come at things from different angles, we know. But teenage life can be challenging, and the support of your parents can make navigating tricky dilemmas easier. Teenage Kicks guests aren’t adults who’ve read a textbook; nor are they heavily invested in your day-to-day safety, like your mum and dad. They are real people who’ve been through what you’re dealing with, and they have the inspiration and advice you need to handle it yourself. Join Helen each week as she chats to a different guest about topics affecting teenagers in 2020, and helps parents and teens to open up a dialogue that will make life easier to navigate on all sides. You'll also find me chatting about teen parenting here: * Actually Mummy [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/] - my personal blog * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamhelenwills/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamhelenwills] Useful websites: * The Mix [https://www.themix.org.uk/]- good information for under 25's * Shout [https://www.giveusashout.org/] - for anyone struggling with anxiety or depression This series of the Teenage Kicks Podcast is sponsored by Blue Microphones [https://www.blue-designs.co.uk/], who gave me the fabulous Yeticaster mic for all my recordings. It's really straightforward to use, and gives me great sound quality without too much editing.