Extra younger folks to entry scientific care from diabetes household centre in Stirling

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MORE young people with type 1 diabetes can get access to clinical care thanks to funding from a social media giant.

The Stirling Type 1 Diabetes Family Center received $ 10,000 from the Facebook Australia Groups Fund, which was set up last year to help Australian communities affected by COVID-19 and bushfires.

Rebecca Johnson, executive director of the center, said the Facebook funding would allow it to offer subsidized clinical care to 40 people between the ages of 16 and 30 for a year.

The center started as an online community on Facebook five and a half years ago and its social engagement more than doubled during COVID-19.

“We’ve grown from an average of 5,400 monthly engagements to more than 12,000,” said Ms. Johnson.

“Not only did Western Australians panic buying food and toilet paper, we also panic buying insulin and diabetes items, so pharmacies struggled to get deliveries quickly enough.”

Camera iconPerry Jones, who lives in Mt Hawthorn, will be one of the participating youths. Credit: Delivered

Perry Jones, 27, of Mt. Hawthorn will be one of the young people who will gain access to affordable diabetes care through funding from the Facebook group.

Ms. Jones said being part of the online community helped her manage her diabetes.

“Type 1 at a young age is one such challenge, especially in adolescence, as the pressures to manage your medical life, academic life, and social life can often interact,” she said.

“Personally, I found that my ability to function and focus in school was compromised when my diabetes control was poor.”

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Ms. Jones said affordable clinical care is also important.

“The advantage of affordable clinical care is that you can just keep your head above the water and swim through life with power,” she said.