Pippa’s swim to success: How new diabetes tech is changing the game for Territory children

An 11-year-old Alice Springs swimmer is proving that a diabetes diagnosis doesn’t mean they have to give up on their dreams – thanks to a game-changing piece of technology.

Pippa Frey and Katie Frey at the 2025 NT Swimming Championships. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

At just 11-years-old, Alice Springs swimmer Pippa Frey has already faced more challenges than most.

A competitive athlete, Pippa was powering through training and competitions — until late 2022, when fatigue and weight loss signalled that something was wrong.

Her mother, Katie Frey, recalls the warning signs.

“She was exhausted all the time, even though she was eating properly,” she said.

“At a big swim meet in January 2023, she was completely knackered.

“Then we noticed she was using the bathroom constantly at night.”

Days later, Pippa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and admitted to intensive care.

“Her blood sugar levels were dangerously high,” Mrs Frey said.

“We knew we needed to get to the bottom of this.”

Rachel Fendt and Pippa Frey at the 2025 NT Swimming Championships. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Fast forward to today, and Pippa is competing at the City of Darwin NT Swimming Championships with a new tool helping her manage her condition — the Omnipod 5, Australia’s first tubeless, waterproof Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system.

“She got a Continuous Glucose Monitor right after leaving intensive care, but for two months, we had to do all her insulin calculations manually,” Mrs Frey said.

“When she got the Omnipod 5, it changed everything.”

Unlike traditional insulin pumps that use tubes, the Omnipod 5 adheres directly to the skin and delivers insulin automatically, adjusting every five minutes based on glucose readings.

It connects to an iPhone app, meaning Pippa can manage her diabetes discreetly, even while training.

“She wears it in the pool, it’s completely waterproof, so it doses her in real time,” Mrs Frey said.

“She just pops her phone and a few snacks into a waterproof bag on the side of the pool, and she’s good to go.”

For active kids like Pippa, a tubeless design eliminates the hassle of tubing getting caught or kinking.

“We’ve travelled all over Australia and even the U.S. with this device, and it’s never been an issue,” Mrs Frey.

“She’s never missed a practice or a race because of diabetes.”

Despite technological advancements, access to AID systems in Australia remains limited.

While Continuous Glucose Monitors are fully subsidised, pumps like the Omnipod 5 are still costly, making them out of reach for many families.

But for families just starting their journey with type 1 diabetes, Mrs Frey has a message of reassurance.

“It gets easier,” she said.

“You find the right tools, the right routines … find your people, because it’s so much easier when you have supportive people on your side.”

For now, Pippa is focused on her races, knowing her device has her covered — one stroke at a time.

Originally published as Pippa’s swim to success: How new diabetes tech is changing the game for Territory children