As I grow older, I've come to realise that everyone is facing their own struggles in life.

Each of my friends is dealing with something heavy, and that's on top of the everyday pressures of life and the struggles of farming.

As we age, we learn to give people a little slack—we don't always know what challenges they face behind closed doors.

Often, though, what we are dealing with passes eventually, and we can move on to calmer waters and breathe until the next storm hits.

With type 1 diabetes, that is not the case.

It is a relentless, constant battle that never ends.

It is a life sentence and a disease of which Canterbury has the second highest rates in the world.

Seven years ago, my friend's daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

At the time, I didn't really know what that meant.

Neither did Sophie’s parents, Jac and Ian.

I have learned a lot about the disease through their experience, and it has given me the most profound respect for anyone having to deal with this condition.

International Diabetes Day is  November 14, and I want to take this opportunity to shine a light on a disease that affects so many Kiwis.

For rural type 1 diabetics, the challenges are heightened by the constant need to travel to main centers for clinic appointments and the added worry of geographical isolation in case of a diabetic medical emergency.

In this issue, you can read about Jac and her daughter Sophie and two other rural, farming families dealing with type 1 diabetes.

The parents are brave, and the children are even braver.

Pharmac's decision to fund glucose monitors and insulin pumps is monumental for type 1 diabetics, but the condition remains one that requires constant vigilance.

It's also a disease that is notoriously misunderstood.

As counsellor Kathryn Wright says in her article for this issue "saying the wrong thing is almost worse than saying nothing" and the misconceptions people have about diabetes often lead to people saying some unintentionally hurtful comments, especially to children.

When I met with the families in this issue, they wanted me to clarify some key points in the hope that people will gain a better understanding.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very different.

Type 2 is often lifestyle-related and easier to manage, while Type 1 is an autoimmune disease typically diagnosed in childhood.

It is not caused by sugar consumption, nor is it linked to the COVID-19 vaccine or breastfeeding practices.

If you see someone with a continuous glucose monitor, don't be afraid to ask the person about it. Most diabetics appreciate the opportunity to educate rather than just be stared at.

I hope you find inspiration in reading about the stories of Dan, Sophie, and Rosie in this issue.

While their journey is a tough one, these children are resilient and their parents are dedicated to supporting them, and that is an inspiring and humbling thing.

By Claire Inkson