Teenage life is rife with enough hardships every day, but for 15-year-old high-school student Harley Garside, he has had to learn quickly that sometimes external factors can impact life.
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On November 5 in Canberra, he will be walking to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the leading global organisation funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
The initiative to take up the walk to raise funds for JDRF comes after he was diagnosed with T1D in August 2017.
In the two months since, he has shown maturity beyond his years to cope with the condition.
“It’s a lifestyle change but we want to be able to control it and do what we used to before.
“Normally, you’d just be able to got the shops with friends and grab food but now I have to be careful with what I eat and measure things like carbs,” he said.
His mother, Rohan, said she admired his positive attitude and strength.
“He is doing so well. It’s something he didn’t ask for but something he has to live with now.”
She said his ability to absorb information quickly has helped.
“He has a scientific mind. I’ve been at the same appointments and he’s walked out with a strong understanding while I still try to process it all. He continues to learn, things are constantly changing,” she said.
JDRF and Canberra Hospital provide support
When Harley was diagnosed, he spent four days at Canberra Hospital where he received a support kit from JDRF.
Harley’s father, Ollie, said both the hospital and JDRF were very supportive.
“They’ve certainly supported us with resources, education and equipment to make sure we can leave the hospital in a safe and stable way and to ensure we can maintain a healthy and stable lifestyle,” he said.
For Harley and others with T1D, the goal of managing it is to keep blood glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible, which JDRF describes as requiring “a constant supply of insulin through injections an insulin pump and they test their blood sugar by pricking their fingers at least four times a day”.
Harley is currently on five injections a day – two fixed and three variables.
Harley said the supportive network around him has helped him stay positive in managing his changed lifestyle.
“I’m glad to have the support of family and friends – it’s been very good,” he said.
That includes his sister, Kendall with whom he shares a close bond.
“Even though Harley is still my big brother and always jokes around with me, today he helped me make breakfast,” Kendall said.
Change of career plans
Harley said his plans to join the Department of Defence have altered since the news of his diagnosis.
“I’m just glad we picked it up now and not when I’m 18 trying to join the defence force.
“It was pretty upsetting but there are still other options in the defence force. And other similar options, like the Police Force,” he said.
Walk to help grow support network
As for the JDRF walk – which aims “to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications” – he said he hoped to find other young people affected by it to extend his peer support network.
According to JDRF, about 2400 Australians are diagnosed with T1D each year where 10–14 years is the peak age of diagnosis.
Looking to the future
As someone who has a loved one with diabetes, Rohan said she hoped JDRF achieves its long-term goal.
“To actually find a cure or at least find ways to make diabetics’ lives easier. In the short term, I want people to know that this organisation exists,” she said.
For Ollie, he said the hardest part is yet to come.
“I think in years to come, there will be limitations with what you can physically do.
“There will be a time to realise that, but that’s over the horizon.
“At the moment, we’re just living and enjoying each day,” he said.
You can sponsor Harley Garside on his JDRF One Walk.
