Nurturing wellbeing when a child experiences chronic illness

This is the first episode in a two-part series in which host Nadia Rossi speaks with Nicki, a parent of two young people living with chronic health conditions. Nicki shares her family’s experience of supporting her son after his  Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and how an ongoing chronic health condition can shape a child’s day-to-day life, relationships, schooling and mental health – as well as the wellbeing of parents and siblings. 

Nicki shares the early days after diagnosis – the learning, the appointments, even the small wins and the moment when the daily reality settles in and families can begin to feel grief, overwhelm and isolation. Nicki also reflects on what has helped her family through the ups and downs, such as:  

• Leaning on support networks 

• Finding peer communities who truly understand 

• Making space for a child to be more than their diagnosis, and  

• Gently adjusting parenting support as children grow towards independence. 

In this episode you will hear: 

• Nicki share the initial affect her son’s diagnosis had on him and his mental health, and how their family adapted to it [02:13].

•  Ways Nicki supported her son through his diagnosis and how that support has shifted over time [7:44].

• The key things Nicki wants parents who are supporting their child through a chronic health condition to know [11:26]. 

Further information and resources: 
 

Connecting and caring for each other in tough times 

Unmasking stigma: Types of stigma