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Coming To Terms With Type 1 Diabetes: One Family's Story of Life After Diagnosis
This inspiring, dignified and deeply moving personal account of a family coming to terms with the diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes for both husband and daughter has been written for three purposes:
- to encourage other families affected by this serious lifelong medical condition to rebuild their lives after diagnosis
- to make the wider community aware of the challenge of living with Type 1 Diabetes
- to raise money for research into a cure for Type 1 Diabetes
All profits from the sales of this short e-book will be donated to JDRF, the leading charitable funder of research into better therapy and a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Additional donations may also be made via the link at the end of the book (http://www.jdrf.org.uk/donateyoung).
All those involved in the production of this book have generously given their services free of charge in order to maximise the funds raised for JDRF.
AS COMMENDED BY JUSTIN WEBB, BBC RADIO 4 TODAY PRESENTER
"For families around Britain and around the world - today and tomorrow and for every day until a cure is found - a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is a life-altering, life-worsening piece of news. Their daily struggle to cope - which begins with that news - can never end. For parents, for the children themselves, all is changed. Some cope badly and suffer the awful consequences of complications and added misery. But some people have within them ... the strength to fight back... this book has been written by someone who is ready and willing and able to fight back, and I commend her for it. Debbie Young has written a moving and personal testimony. I hope it inspires people to support the work of JDRF. And to salute the pioneers who first helped Type 1 Diabetics to stay alive, and nowadays helps them to live increasingly normal lives. This is a story that begins with harsh reality but encompasses success as well. It is a story of hope and progress, and one day it must end, in triumph."
The above text is is an extract of the book's Foreword, written by Justin Webb, who co-presents BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Justin Webb's own son was also recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEWS...
...FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
"It's a lovely uplifting little book, full of insight, wit, and practical know-how. I think it will appeal to anyone with Type 1 Diabetes and their family. Health professionals would also find it useful. The book is beautifully written. A little treasure as well as a ray of hope." Dr Carol Cooper, GP, award-winning medical journalist and broadcaster, and lecturer in communication and consultation skills at Imperial College, London
...FROM OTHER FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TYPE 1 DIABETES
"An amazing book, very moving, thought-provoking and inspiring. I envy you the ability to write the most heart-wrenching words with such a light touch that the reader can bear to keep going." - LA, who has a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes
"This is a great booklet for parents of children just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - identifying with other parents’ feelings is just what you need when your child is newly diagnosed." - LH, who has a son with Type 1 Diabetes
...AND FROM FAMILIES WITH NO EXPERIENCE OF TYPE 1 DIABETES
"A wonderful, poignant account that hits just the right note - emotional but not victimy. It is clear that the author is not after the sympathy vote but just sharing the emotional roller coaster she went through. Her hopes for a cure make the reader feel that they can do something really constructive (like donating!") - VP, mother of three
"Excellent, emotive and simply expressed." JD, mother of two
- to encourage other families affected by this serious lifelong medical condition to rebuild their lives after diagnosis
- to make the wider community aware of the challenge of living with Type 1 Diabetes
- to raise money for research into a cure for Type 1 Diabetes
All profits from the sales of this short e-book will be donated to JDRF, the leading charitable funder of research into better therapy and a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Additional donations may also be made via the link at the end of the book (http://www.jdrf.org.uk/donateyoung).
All those involved in the production of this book have generously given their services free of charge in order to maximise the funds raised for JDRF.
AS COMMENDED BY JUSTIN WEBB, BBC RADIO 4 TODAY PRESENTER
"For families around Britain and around the world - today and tomorrow and for every day until a cure is found - a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is a life-altering, life-worsening piece of news. Their daily struggle to cope - which begins with that news - can never end. For parents, for the children themselves, all is changed. Some cope badly and suffer the awful consequences of complications and added misery. But some people have within them ... the strength to fight back... this book has been written by someone who is ready and willing and able to fight back, and I commend her for it. Debbie Young has written a moving and personal testimony. I hope it inspires people to support the work of JDRF. And to salute the pioneers who first helped Type 1 Diabetics to stay alive, and nowadays helps them to live increasingly normal lives. This is a story that begins with harsh reality but encompasses success as well. It is a story of hope and progress, and one day it must end, in triumph."
The above text is is an extract of the book's Foreword, written by Justin Webb, who co-presents BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Justin Webb's own son was also recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEWS...
...FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
"It's a lovely uplifting little book, full of insight, wit, and practical know-how. I think it will appeal to anyone with Type 1 Diabetes and their family. Health professionals would also find it useful. The book is beautifully written. A little treasure as well as a ray of hope." Dr Carol Cooper, GP, award-winning medical journalist and broadcaster, and lecturer in communication and consultation skills at Imperial College, London
...FROM OTHER FAMILIES AFFECTED BY TYPE 1 DIABETES
"An amazing book, very moving, thought-provoking and inspiring. I envy you the ability to write the most heart-wrenching words with such a light touch that the reader can bear to keep going." - LA, who has a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes
"This is a great booklet for parents of children just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes - identifying with other parents’ feelings is just what you need when your child is newly diagnosed." - LH, who has a son with Type 1 Diabetes
...AND FROM FAMILIES WITH NO EXPERIENCE OF TYPE 1 DIABETES
"A wonderful, poignant account that hits just the right note - emotional but not victimy. It is clear that the author is not after the sympathy vote but just sharing the emotional roller coaster she went through. Her hopes for a cure make the reader feel that they can do something really constructive (like donating!") - VP, mother of three
"Excellent, emotive and simply expressed." JD, mother of two
40 pages, ebook
First published November 6, 2013
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Young
44 books279 followersHello dear readers!
I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.
NOVELS
My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.
My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",
My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.
All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.
SHORT FICTION
My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!
My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,
Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".
PLAYS
I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.
AWARDS
The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
FREE EBOOK
Rec
I hope you will enjoy my warm, witty, feel-good contemporary fiction, full of English humour and heart, inspired by life in the Cotswold village which has been my home for over 30 years. I have three series of cozy mystery novels plus various short fiction, and I've written a couple of non-fiction books too.
NOVELS
My latest book is "Death at the Village Christmas Fair", the third in my Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series. The series begins with "Death at the Old Curiosity Shop", followed by "Death at the Village Chess Club". In this series, moving from the city to the lively Cotswold village of Little Pride, Alice Carroll (50) discovers that nothing is quite what it seems in her new business enterprise. Each novel in this series has at its heart an intriguing item to be found in her bric-a-brac shop, and features eccentric characters, plenty of red herrings and lots of English humour.
My Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series begins with "Best Murder in Show". Originally envisaged as a seven-book series to run the course of a calendar year in the life of the idyllic English Cotswold village of Wendlebury Barrow, it continues to grow, with the most recent addition being Sophie Sayers' ninth outing, "Driven to Murder",
My Gemma Lamb Cozy Mystery series is a mashup of romantic comedy, gentle mystery and nostalgia for classic children's school stories but aimed at adults. It focuses on the intrigues among the teachers and visitors to the school, rather than the children. "Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's" (previously published as "Secrets at St Bride's"), and is followed by "Sinister Secrets at St Bride's" (formerly "Secrets at St Bride's"), Wicked Whispers at St Bride's", and "Artful Antics at St Bride's". Two further books will follow to complete the series of six, running the course of the academic year at St Bride's Boarding School for Girls.
All of my novels are now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio in English. There are also German language editions of Sophie Sayers' adventures and Italian translations of Gemma Lamb's.
SHORT FICTION
My series of comedy mystery novelettes, Tales from Wendlebury Barrow, is set in the same world as the Sophie Sayers Cozy Mysteries. The first, "The Pride of Peacocks", is available exclusively to members of my Readers' Club (visit my author website to claim your copy). "The Natter of Knitters" and "The Clutch of Eggs" are available in ebook and paperback. A Christmas special, "Christmas with Sophie Sayers", featuring festive short stories set in the same world, was published for Christmas 2023. Three more Sophie Sayers short stories appear in the charity anthologies, "Fate", "Everyday Kindness" and "The Little Shop of Murders". Look out for another one in the "Courage" anthology, coming in 2026!
My standalone novella, "Mrs Morris Changes Lanes", is a second-chance mid-life romantic comedy with a touch of magical realism, set in the Cotswolds in spring,
Earlier in my career, I published three themed collections of short stories, "Stocking Fillers", "Marry in Haste", and "Quick Change".
PLAYS
I've also now started writing scripts for murder mystery events, My debut play, "The Importance of Being Murdered", was premiered by Hawkesbury Drama Group in April 2025. The original playscript will be published later this year for use by amateur drama groups all over the world, and I'm also working on a novelisation.
AWARDS
The first St Bride's novel was shortlisted for the 2020 Selfies Award given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK. The sixth Sophie Sayers novel was shortlisted for the same award in 2021. My short story "The Alchemy of Chocolate", from "Quick Change", was a winning entrant to the April 2015 Stroud Short Stories competition, and as a result I was later invited to read it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 22, 2014
I downloaded this as the mother of a child diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago and so I was reading it, with the benefit of hindsight and a considerable amount of learning that has taken place since then. In fact, here in France, we were required to stay in hospital for 2 weeks for l'apprentissage, in effect, I received a 30 - 60 minute lecture from the Doctor every day (in French) and was questioned to ensure I understand everything necessary. Like a diploma in the diabetic condition and it's management only without the certificate.
Debbie Young's book is an interesting and short account of one family's experience and in fact is collated from a collection of blog posts, which accounts for the slight repetitiveness in some of the chapters.
She explains her family history, the gift of a child as a late age, the shock of the diagnosis and then her determination to not just manage it, but to be proactive in raising awareness and funds towards a cure. Currently there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes. She sets a wonderful example and displays immense courage and it is an important contribution in achieving those goals.
It is certainly a challenge for families to try to change both the child's way of seeing themselves, "as diabetic", and as we have experienced, their peers and sometimes teachers way of seeing them, "as ill". I am quick to respond to Type 1 diabetics being labelled as "chronically ill", due to the danger of the child identifying themselves as that, when, with a healthy diet and monitoring they can and will experience optimum health and be able to participate in all the activities their schoolmates do.
I did find it somewhat alarming the number of times death was referred to - certainly because I am the parent and this isn't a message that requires reinforcing. If a child doesn't receive insulin, they will eventually starve because the body can't produce insulin to convert food into nutrients. Enough said.
I commend the author in getting her experience out to a wider audience and sincerely hope it helps in finding a cure to this perplexing condition. We are indeed fortunate that coping with it has improved so much over the years and I hope that an even greater leap towards a cure can be made in our respective daughter's lifetimes.
Debbie Young's book is an interesting and short account of one family's experience and in fact is collated from a collection of blog posts, which accounts for the slight repetitiveness in some of the chapters.
She explains her family history, the gift of a child as a late age, the shock of the diagnosis and then her determination to not just manage it, but to be proactive in raising awareness and funds towards a cure. Currently there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes. She sets a wonderful example and displays immense courage and it is an important contribution in achieving those goals.
It is certainly a challenge for families to try to change both the child's way of seeing themselves, "as diabetic", and as we have experienced, their peers and sometimes teachers way of seeing them, "as ill". I am quick to respond to Type 1 diabetics being labelled as "chronically ill", due to the danger of the child identifying themselves as that, when, with a healthy diet and monitoring they can and will experience optimum health and be able to participate in all the activities their schoolmates do.
I did find it somewhat alarming the number of times death was referred to - certainly because I am the parent and this isn't a message that requires reinforcing. If a child doesn't receive insulin, they will eventually starve because the body can't produce insulin to convert food into nutrients. Enough said.
I commend the author in getting her experience out to a wider audience and sincerely hope it helps in finding a cure to this perplexing condition. We are indeed fortunate that coping with it has improved so much over the years and I hope that an even greater leap towards a cure can be made in our respective daughter's lifetimes.
November 20, 2014
A quick and enjoyable read. Debbie writes about her experiences with living with Type 1 diabetes, a condition with which both her husband and daughter live with.
The book is a collection of short essays that discuss diabetes, its symptoms, treatment, and its life-changing effect on diabetics.
I didn't know too much about Type 1 Diabetes before reading this, but now I know more. I didn't know what a challenging condition it can be to live with.
I'm grateful that I read the book, and I would encourage anyone to buy it and support the JDRF in order to assist in making Type 1 more manageable, and most importantly, to help find a cure.
The book is a collection of short essays that discuss diabetes, its symptoms, treatment, and its life-changing effect on diabetics.
I didn't know too much about Type 1 Diabetes before reading this, but now I know more. I didn't know what a challenging condition it can be to live with.
I'm grateful that I read the book, and I would encourage anyone to buy it and support the JDRF in order to assist in making Type 1 more manageable, and most importantly, to help find a cure.
December 16, 2014
This is a short book, with a few chapters and articles by Debbie Young about how she feels about her daughter's early diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. As a close member of my family has had this disease for many years I could relate to all of it. Debbie gives details of her own fund-raising for the JDRF in the book (anyone who can run 10K deserves a huge clap!), and shows how other people can donate. People don't realise how life-changing the disease is; if you want to know more about how Debbie and her daughter deal with the day to day problems presented by the illness, and how the fund raising and research is going, you can also follow her blog at authordebbieyoung.com.
December 10, 2013
A heart-warming, honest account of a mother’s shock, acceptance, and ongoing battle after her 3-year-old daughter’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes. The author, Debbie Young, has an amazing way with words, combining heart-breaking moments with inspiration and courage and above all hope … hope for a cure. And what an admirable way of raising funds to try and find a cure for this terrible disease. I would highly recommend this short piece of work, and even say it is essential reading for anyone whose life is touched by Type 1 diabetes.
February 13, 2014
Short and sweet but moving and heartfelt. Compiled of blog posts about life with a daughter and husband who have Type 1, this little book has a lot of impact. If you ever wanted to know the perspective of someone living with a family member with Type 1 diabetes, then read this book. It's a tough road for those of us with diabetes, but it's also hard for those who love us. And all proceeds go to JDRF!
November 15, 2013
Short, moving and beautifully written. It's an upbeat yet realistic take on living with type 1 diabetes.
June 19, 2017
Quick and short compilation
This is a really quick read. It isn't even really a book, but a compilation of a mothers blog posts about her appeal to people to learn more about the daily struggles of living with diabetes and the need for a cure.
This is a really quick read. It isn't even really a book, but a compilation of a mothers blog posts about her appeal to people to learn more about the daily struggles of living with diabetes and the need for a cure.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews