Matilda Fairman
Can you tell us a bit about you?
I am Amy, mother of 3 daughters, Matilda (5 years old), Kayla (13 years old) and Ella (15 years old). Kayla has an autoimmune condition, whereas Matilda and Ella have type 1 diabetes. I run a family day care centre here in Perth which is good because I can support my girls and help them whenever they need me.
With two girls that have Type 1 diabetes, night times are always stressful to be honest. You're just hoping that you know if the alarm goes off, you're going to hear it but sometimes it is really a challenge because I'm really tired from working and managing all the other stuff from being a busy mum. When Ella was first diagnosed, I missed an alarm to check on her, and I was so upset and really hope it won’t happen again.
However, now with technology, it is so much easier for the girls and me. Both girls use Dexcom G6 CGM. With Ella, her Dexcom G6 connects with her t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology, it monitors her throughout the night.
With two girls that have Type 1 diabetes, night times are always stressful to be honest. You're just hoping that you know if the alarm goes off, you're going to hear it but sometimes it is really a challenge because I'm really tired from working and managing all the other stuff from being a busy mum. When Ella was first diagnosed, I missed an alarm to check on her, and I was so upset and really hope it won’t happen again.
However, now with technology, it is so much easier for the girls and me. Both girls use Dexcom G6 CGM. With Ella, her Dexcom G6 connects with her t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology, it monitors her throughout the night.
What support do you use to help manage her diabetes?
Being a single mom with limited family support and having to support 2 girls that have type 1 has been a huge challenge for me. I found connecting with Type One Family Centre here in Perth to be such a big support. We would give each other support and encouragement through Facebook, and it is wonderful to be able to connect with families that have similar situations like us because we would just instantly connect and support one another.
How did you find out the girls have diabetes? How is it like for them in school?
Matilda was diagnosed just before she turned 3 years old. The first time Matilda had to fingerprick, the result was 11.2 - two days later, we fingerpricked again and she was 17, and later that day she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. After 4 months she was able to start on an insulin pump which has made things a little bit easier to manage.
Ella was diagnosed in year 4. When Ella was first diagnosed, her school wasn’t very supportive, and she was teased in school. We nearly home-schooled her because of this, but now the girls all go to a private school which has kindy to E-12. The best part about their current school is that they've got a full-time nurse there so even if it requires a lot of money to send them there, it is worth it as we get so much more support, and the school is amazing with handling the girls’ diabetes. One time, I noticed one of the girls was low and I immediately called the nurse at school, and she was already all over it which gives me the reassurance that my girls are being taken care of.
In their current school, the teachers also have the Dexcom app* on their phones and iPad to monitor for Matilda. Ella doesn’t get monitored because she is considered much older and can take care of herself.
Ella was diagnosed in year 4. When Ella was first diagnosed, her school wasn’t very supportive, and she was teased in school. We nearly home-schooled her because of this, but now the girls all go to a private school which has kindy to E-12. The best part about their current school is that they've got a full-time nurse there so even if it requires a lot of money to send them there, it is worth it as we get so much more support, and the school is amazing with handling the girls’ diabetes. One time, I noticed one of the girls was low and I immediately called the nurse at school, and she was already all over it which gives me the reassurance that my girls are being taken care of.
In their current school, the teachers also have the Dexcom app* on their phones and iPad to monitor for Matilda. Ella doesn’t get monitored because she is considered much older and can take care of herself.
After being diagnosed at such a young age, what does Matilda enjoy doing now?
Matilda enjoys swimming and is about to start playing soccer this year. She is in Year 1 at school and likes to teach people about type 1 diabetes as lots of people ask her about her Dexcom G6 CGM system and insulin pump. Matilda is very active and isn’t worried about wearing her diabetes tech.
What would you say to your daughters about how they live their lives with T1D?
I am so proud of my daughters, I am in awe of how brave, resilient and tough they are. I am the proudest mum on Earth!
Want to be part of our community?
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Read the warnings available on dexcom.com/downloadsandguides before purchasing. Consult your healthcare professional to see which product is right for you. Dexcom is a medical device used to continuously measure and record glucose concentrations in diabetic patients.
*A list of compatible devices can be found at https://www.dexcom.com/en-AU/compatibility