Halifax mum’s run impressed by her courageous boy after diabetes analysis

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Fiona Spencer, who will contest the Great North Run with Ronnie and Elsie.Fiona Spencer, who will contest the Great North Run with Ronnie and Elsie.

Fiona Spencer’s son, Ronnie Sullivan, needs regular insulin injections and his blood sugar levels are constantly monitored after he is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Inspired by her little boy’s courage and determined to prove that his illness shouldn’t stop him, Fiona of Illingworth accepts this year’s Great North Run in aid of Diabetes UK.

“I’m not a runner, but I’ll do that,” said the 27-year-old supervisor.

“I want to show him that you can definitely achieve anything you set out to do.

“I want to show him that even though he’s diabetic and on insulin for life, he won’t stop him if he doesn’t want to.”

Ronnie’s diagnosis came in November when he was two years old. He had started to drink excessively and urinate, but otherwise he was fine.

When the doctors tested his blood sugar level, it was so high it was not on the GP’s card.

They tested him again at Calderdale Royal Hospital. For a child, a level of 10 is considered high. Ronnies was over 35.

“We had to spend a week in the hospital learning about diabetes,” said Fiona. “Because of the coronavirus, only I was allowed to stay with him.

“We knew very little about diabetes. It’s not that common, especially with a two year old. We didn’t want to believe it at first. “

Nurses taught Fiona how to inject Ronnie with insulin and he quickly got used to the frequent needles.

“Everything he has to eat he has to inject,” she explained, “we have to constantly monitor his blood sugar.”

Ronnie’s parents use a needle prick test to check his blood sugar, usually 13 or 14 times a day. You need to inject him with insulin about eight times a day.

As an energetic little boy, his blood sugar can fluctuate up and down many times. His parents even have to get up at night to watch him.

“He’s getting along well with the syringes,” said Fiona. “He’s so brave. You don’t bother him at all.

“It’s non-stop. We just have to be on the ball all the time. “

In addition to raising funds for Diabetes UK, Fiona wants to raise awareness of the impact a child’s diagnosis has on her parents.

She has started training for the run, which will be in September, and Ronnie and his older sister Elsie will be there to cheer their mom on.

To sponsor Fiona, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-spencer3