Diabetic munchkin following yellow brick road to Gordon Brown
The journey on the Yellow Brick Road is never straightforward, but for one young Munchkin in the Hastleons performance of the Wizard of Oz it has more challenges than most.
Nine-year-old Josef Ripley, who goes to Sacred Heart school, was diagnosed with Type One diabetes just over a year and a half ago. He had all the classic symptoms, loss of weight, extreme thirst and tiredness and a constant need to visit the toilet.
Suddenly life went from being very normal to the realisation that he would need to have at least five injections of insulin a day just to stay alive.
His family monitor and weigh any carbohydrates or sugar he eats and do at least five finger prick blood tests every day just to try to prevent some of the long term complications. These could include blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.
The diagnosis was a lot to handle for the seven-year-old. He hated being different and was very aware that his diabetes could have a severe or fatal outcome. Anger and depression set in.
However, things started taking a turn for the better after the youngster landed a the part of Falmer Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz, which continues today and tomorrow at the White Rock Theatre.
Taking to the stage again proved to be the shot in the arm the lad needed, and according to his mum his confidence is returning and Josef is starting to feel normal once more.
He is also set to visit London this week to hand over a petition to Gordon Brown in an attempt to raise awareness and funding for more research.
And to show their support for Josef, the Hastleons - who are putting on the show - are making a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation .
Speaking to the Observer, the youngster said: "The Wizard of Oz is really fun but I still don't like the injections or blood tests.
"Diabetes is like the Wicked Witch and I hate it. If they can find a cure I would be the happiest Munchkin in the Land of Oz."
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Weather for Lewes
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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