The article was written by Brianna McPherson for Global News, published on February 7, 2025. The write-up is a short read of about 2 minutes.

The story revolves around a young girl named Aysha who, in 2022, had been frequently falling ill. Not only was she losing weight despite her unchanged diet, but she also fainted at school one day in September. This alarming incident led her to be rushed to the Alberta Children’s Hospital emergency room.

The medical team faced difficulty while trying to administer an IV due to her weak veins. After thorough examination, it was revealed that Aysha was suffering from Type 1 Diabetes and was on the brink of Diabetic ketoacidosis. This condition occurs when the body lacks enough insulin, leading it to break down fat for energy, causing an unhealthy build-up of ketones in the blood. Aysha was hospitalized for a week during which her glucose levels were stabilized by the medical staff.

After this ordeal, Aysha and her parents, Shannon and Michael, were introduced to a team of specialists, including an endocrinologist and dietician. This team guided the family on how to manage Aysha’s diabetes. Despite the overwhelming situation, the family felt reassured and well-supported, confident that they could handle Aysha’s condition independently after her discharge from the hospital. The family was trained by a nurse educator, Shannon, on how to test Aysha’s glucose levels and administer her insulin appropriately. Shannon, Aysha’s mother, found comfort in the fact that she could reach out to the clinic whenever she had queries about her daughter’s health.

Remarkably, Aysha, who used to fear needles, now comfortably manages her diabetes using an insulin pump and a sensor on her arm that she scans with her phone to monitor her glucose levels. Her parents are immensely proud of her and are extremely thankful to their expert medical team for providing them with family-centred care. Shannon expresses their gratitude to have access to a world-class hospital in their local community.

This article serves as an inspiring story of a young girl’s victorious battle with diabetes, and brings into light the importance of having access to quality healthcare.