Young author Samuel Grant
Submitted by Debbie Sayers Fullwood
A young author wrote his first book to help children with type 1 diabetes better understand their condition.
Samuel Grant of Roby Mill, Lancashire, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in March 2016.
His mother Michelle Grant said: “It was only five days before Easter and Samuel, who was eight at the time, had been in the weather for too long.
“After several doctor visits requiring more rest, I felt desperate. We decided to take him to the doctor outside of business hours at the hospital, where almost the same advice was given.
“When we went out I was told to take him to the hospital and I responded by taking him straight back to the emergency room.
“There he was quickly and correctly diagnosed as type 1 diabetic. He was on DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis – a life-threatening disease). That was when the bomb fell. Our world felt like it had been turned upside down.”
Samuel’s book ‘Oh One Day …’
Samuel found it difficult to understand the condition and everything related to it. He said, “I wish there was a book that I could have read to let me know that everything would be fine.
“My new life as a type 1 diabetic was very different and explaining to my friends was like talking to an alien. They just didn’t get it.”
Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Samuel tried to find ways to help others and used those feelings to inspire him to do something to help children who were in a similar situation.
Samuel said, “It was really hard after I was diagnosed, but I felt like I wanted to help others have hope as they had the same feelings that I was having at the time.
“Back then, I first thought of writing a children’s book about an alien named Zegg. I wanted to give hope to children who were newly diagnosed. One of my favorite authors is Dr. Suess, so I tried to write it in his kind of style. “
Samuel then had to work really hard to make his book a reality. He has already donated 50 books to the hospital that have helped him and plans to donate more to other trusts so they can give the book to children starting their own Type 1 journey.
Sam is 13 now and will always need insulin and still has ups and downs, but his life is full of adventure, joy and hope.
He has raised donations in many imaginative ways to have copies of his book printed and is asking that someone who wants to help by donating the money for a book can ultimately give it away to NHS trusts across the UK Distribute copies to as many diagnosed type 1 children as possible.
Click here to buy or donate your own copy.
