Bannockburn girl Pippa Ord's life-changing Type 1 diabetes diagnosis

A Bannockburn mother’s quick thinking saved her seven-year-old daughter from a diabetic coma, with the family now calling for greater awareness of Type 1 diabetes.

Pippa Ord with mum Sophie was recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Picture: Brad Fleet

When Sophie Ord’s daughter Pippa suddenly became unwell, experiencing fatigue, weight loss and vomiting, the Bannockburn mother knew something was seriously wrong.

“My gut instinct told me we need to go to the hospital.” Mrs Ord said.

Mrs Ord took her seven-year-old daughter to Epworth’s emergency department, where blood tests revealed Type 1 diabetes to be the cause of Pippa’s symptoms.

“It was the biggest shock to the system … I called my husband and he just said, ‘no she doesn’t’,” Mrs Ord said.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong auto-immune disease that prevents the pancreas from making insulin. It requires daily management with insulin injections and blood sugar monitoring.

After her diagnosis, Pippa was taken to Geelong hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit with dangerously high levels of ketone in her blood.

“Ketone levels are supposed to be around 0.6 … hers were at 7, so she was very close to falling into a coma.” Mrs Ord said.

Pippa Ord with mum Sophie was recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Picture: Brad Fleet

Pippa spent two days in the ICU and nearly a week in hospital as Mrs Ord and her husband Storm, put their lives on hold to stay by her side.

The family spent days in hospital becoming educating on the condition and how to manage it.

“I knew about Type 2 Diabetes, like most people do, but Type 1 is a whole new ball game, there’s just not enough awareness.” Mrs Ord said.

Now aged eight, Pippa is adjusting well to life with the condition.

She loves going to school and enjoys sleepovers with her friends.

Mrs Ord said managing Pippa’s blood sugar levels was a constant challenge for the family.

“She’s gone from being a kid who goes to sleepovers all the time and does whatever she wants, now I have to go to playdates with her because I don’t expect other parents to know how to manage her diabetes,” Mrs Ord said.

Pippa receives support from the Geelong-based Type 1 foundation which advocates for and provides diabetes education.

Diabetes is the seventh most common cause of death in Australia, affecting around 1.9 million Australians, including an estimated 400,000 who are undiagnosed.

This week marks National Diabetes Week, a campaign focused on education and awareness around the condition and its prevention.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is backing the initiative, with RACGP president Dr Michael Wright encouraging people to be proactive.

“It’s much better to prevent diabetes than to treat it,” Dr Wright said. “We encourage people to see their GP, get tested, and have regular check-ups.”

“If you’re worried or unsure about your risk – come and see us. It could save your life.”

Originally published as Bannockburn girl Pippa Ord's life-changing Type 1 diabetes diagnosis