Patients & Families

The Diabetes Team at Children's Hospital knows it's tough being a kid and managing diabetes. After you've learned how to wear a sensor and give yourself insulin, everything else might seem easy. But there's a lot to learn about food, exercise, and having a busy life with diabetes.

We're proud to support the Diabetes All Stars program, which recognizes children, teens, and families who meet self-management goals each month. Ask your team's social worker for details.

Diabetes Camp runs every summer at locations across Ontario and Canada and is a great way to meet other kids and teens managing diabetes. Ask your team about it.

Two thirds of the patients we follow at Children's Hospital are teens. Only 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes is Type 1, so you may find yourself teaching friends and family about how you manage your condition. It's normal to have 2 to 3 mild low blood sugars a week; if you have too many, you can lose awareness of lows, which can lead to more serious undetected lows.

You'll need a Ministry of Transportation form to be completed by doctor when you apply for a driver's licence, and you can talk to your diabetes team about birth control and safe sex, as women with diabetes need to take extra care with pregnancy and blood sugar management.

Our Diabetes Registered Dietitians are available to help with insulin adjustments, meal plan changes, carbohydrate counting questions, travel across time zones, and questions about sports or activity.

Managing diabetes takes a lot of work, and throughout your experience you may want support, encouragement, and ideas to keep the plan going, whether you are new to diabetes or have managed it for a long time. Support is available through family and friends, other families managing diabetes, our Diabetes Team, and community resources.

Community organizations include the Breakthrough T1D peer mentor program for parents, Diabetes Canada, I Challenge Diabetes and Connected in Motion. Our team, including Art Therapist, Child Life Specialists, Social Workers is also available; ask about accessing these resources through your clinic or diabetes education binder.