Reader's Corner

By offering practical advice, emotional support, and financial aid to insulin dependent diabetics, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation helps young diabetics to have better control over their disease.

The other day I was at a kiddies’ birthday bash and indulgently watched the moppets wolf down the goodies on the buffet table. Then I noticed that a slim, brown- haired lad’s plate had just one chutney sandwich and two chaklis on it. He said no to the Thums Up and ice cream, too.

Why, I wondered, was the kid passing up stuff that everyone else piled high on their plates?

Then somebody told me that he was a Diabetic – something that society only associates with obese, gouty oldies. And I couldn’t believe my ears. Because he had joined in all the games with gusto. Later on I learned that the boy was a member of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation which helps children to lead as near a normal life as possible.

Children, even infants and newborns, can be juvenile diabetics, who are dependent on insulin injections forever. That’s why it is called Insulin Dependent Diabetes (I.D.D.)

Insulin is an enzyme which is secreted by the beta cell of the pancreas. Nobody quite knows why it happens but diabetes develops when an individual’s body defence mechanism goes berserk and attacks its own beta cells, after exposure to certain viral infections or yet unknown environmental factors. Once the process of beta cell destruction sets in, there is no way in which it can be reversed or arrested.

The symptoms appear only when 90 percent of the beta cells are destroyed, and the remaining 10 percent disappear within the next five years. The result? Blood sugar levels increase and the metabolism of the whole body is affected. Juvenile diabetes knows no barriers. It can strike children regardless of social status, sex, or family history. It is not the same as adult diabetes. The basic difference is that in adult diabetes the beta cells retain some capacity to produce insulin, whereas in childhood diabetes the insulin producing capacity is nil, which is why the adult variety can be controlled on tablets, while juvenile diabetes cannot. They may need two, three, or even four injections a day, balanced with a sugar-free prescribed diet and exercise. Although there is no cure, juvenile diabetes can be controlled.

Young diabetics can be lonely, sad, bitter, low achievers, dependent, pessimistic. Parents can be distraught, worrying about future employment, marriage, child bearing, social stigma, finances.

The initial push for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation came from six young diabetes themselves in 1982, when they coaxed diabetologist Vijay S. Ajgaonkar to band them and their parents together so as to address common problems.

As the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation took shape the response was heart warming. Anxieties, problems, and difficulties came tumbling out. Attitudes changed. Personalities bloomed. Fulfillment was around the corner.

The JDF is a registered charitable trust with 600 members. Every Saturday, a team of diabetologists (Vijay S. Ajgaonkar, Deepak Dalal), paediatricians (Aspi Irani, Anjali Bhatwadekar), psychiatrist (Manoj Bhatwadekar), dieticians, psychologists, and patient educators conduct a clinic for diabetic children and their parents. All the treatment is thus provided under one roof, that is, the Lotus Eye Hospital in Juhu. Children at the age of four or five are taught to monitor blood sugar levels, maintain records, take their own injections, understand hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. The child can meet all the professionals, one by one, for guidance and reassurance – that diabetes is a Disorder not a Disease.

On the first Sunday of each month there are meetings which provide an opportunity for discussion, meeting other diabetics and their families. Guest speakers are invited to speak on certain topics such as foot care, dental care, sex education, relaxation. Self care misconceptions, doubts, and queries are clarified. Cooking classes are organized to exchange diabetic – friendly recipes. A monthly magazine keeps the members updated with the latest news ‘n’ views.

The children themselves also meet every two months to swap experiences and funny stories. “It’s good to know that there are others who have to take daily injections and lay off sweets,” says a little girl. “ It helps to lessen the pain”.

There are annual holiday camps, fun filled get-togethers, picnics, and outings, often organized by the kids themselves, to encourage interaction between parents and children. It’s hard to believe, but they’ve trekked all the way to Matheran, in Maharashtra, too.

It costs about Rs 1,700 a month to keep a young diabetic going with insulin, syringes, urine test strips, periodical pathological tests. What’s more, there are also doctor’s consultation fees and emergency hospitalisation. Free medical attention and insulin are provided to those who need it by the JDF.

A survey of Juvenile diabetics is being conducted in Mumbai city, after which the JDF will approach the state government and NGOs for funds. In the meantime, donations are welcome