This week Crawley MP, Henry Smith, met with Crawley residents in the Houses of Parliament to discuss the impact of type 1 diabetes on people’s lives.

Local residents Nicola Pole and her daughter, Katie Sellis-Pole, were chosen to attend Type 1 Parliament by JDRF – the global type 1 diabetes charity. Katie is amongst one of sixty adults and children who live with the condition that was selected from across the country to represent their constituencies.

Henry commented:

“It was a pleasure to meet Katie and Nicola at the event and to learn more about impact of the impact of type 1 diabetes on their and many others’ lives.

“Katie is a strong, engaging young woman and I’m grateful to her for highlighting to me the true impact of type 1 diabetes upon those that live with it, their families, and the country as a whole. It’s so important for children and young people to receive the right care and support to manage their condition.

“If diabetes isn’t managed well in early life it can lead to devastating complications later on. I’d strongly urge all parents, health leaders and commissioners to back this new guide, and ensure that young people with Type 1 diabetes in Crawley are getting the checks and services they need.”

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic and challenging condition. The exact cause is unclear, but it is not linked to lifestyle or diet. A child diagnosed with it at the age of five faces up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18. The condition affects 400,000 people in the UK – equivalent to more than 600 people in every constituency – and incidence is growing rapidly, particularly in those under five years old.