Living with diabetes is tough at the best of times.

Now, imagine being a child living with diabetes juggling carb counts and insulin doses on top of food insecurity, gang violence, or not feeling safe at school. At Red Cross Children’s Hospital Diabetes Clinic, these challenges aren’t just rare cases - they’re everyday realities.
While the South African government does a commendable job ensuring access to insulin, glucometers, and doctors, there’s one critical piece that was missing: emotional support.
And that’s where SA Diabetes Advocacy stepped in with the support of the Life for a Child program of Diabetes Australia.

Changing the Game: The Need for a Counselling Social Worker

After visiting the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Diabetes Clinic, Head Endocrinologist, Dr Michelle Carrihill highlighted that one of the biggest needs was that children living with diabetes needed more than just medical care - they needed someone to talk to.

Without psychological support, no amount of medical advice could bridge the gap for kids living in difficult circumstances. And so we got to work as SA Diabetes Advocacy and made it a mission to find a way to fund a dedicated counselling social worker for the clinic.

It wasn’t easy. It took advocacy, conversations, proposals, and more conversations. But it worked.

Bringing Compassion to Diabetes Cares: A Big Step Forward

On 1 February 2025, the mission to create change became a reality. Margy Gibbons officially joined the team at the diabetes clinic as a dedicated counselling social worker.
Margy is now the beating heart of the Thursday morning clinic sessions, helping to:
Create safe spaces where children and caregivers can open up
Identify who’s coping and who’s struggling
Empower kids and their families to own their diabetes journey, even in tough circumstances
Because sometimes, before you can talk about insulin ratios, you first have to talk about *feelings*.

More Than Just Talking - Real-Life Impact

Margy’s work addresses the many barriers that can prevent a child from effectively managing their diabetes - from the fear of needles to the harsh reality of food insecurity, where the question becomes, How do you inject insulin with no food? She also supports children navigating violence and trauma, whether it’s at home or in their communities, recognizing that these challenges can be as impactful as the condition itself.

In cases of real danger, like neglect, school environments that don’t allow diabetes management, or frequent hospital admissions for Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Margy’s role becomes even more critical, ensuring that no child slips through the cracks.

It’s not just the kids who need support, caregivers are often carrying heavy loads too. Managing a child’s diabetes can be emotionally and physically exhausting, and without adequate support, caregivers can feel overwhelmed and isolated. By providing them with the resources and guidance they need, we’re not just helping them cope; we’re also empowering them to be stronger, more effective advocates for their children.

The earlier a child learns to accept and talk about their diabetes, the better their chances of thriving as adults with the condition. As Margy puts it, “Our kids living with diabetes grow up to be adults living with diabetes.” Early intervention and emotional support can make all the difference, fostering resilience and self-advocacy skills that set them up for a healthier, more empowered life with diabetes.

“Living with type 1 diabetes as a child is never just a clinical matter; it’s emotional, social, and can be deeply isolating without the right support. Thankfully, there’s growing recognition that psychosocial care isn’t a luxury, but a fundamental part of diabetes management. At Life for a Child, we’ve seen around the world that when young people and their families feel seen and heard, powerful shifts occur. That’s why we’re proud to fund this work. No child should have to manage diabetes in silence, and no care system is complete without compassion.”

— Emma Klatman, Life for a Child