Family in plea for help to get daughter a medical alert dog

A FAMILY from Ponteland have made a plea to help get their daughter a medical alert dog.

- OWEN YOUNGER

Penelope Airey, seven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in July of last year after her parents Lucy and Michael noticed her behaviour change.

Lucy said: “There was definitely a change in Penelope for about a month before her diagnosis, she was getting really upset and was really thirsty and downing drinks one day when we twigged and took her to the hospital.

“We ended up staying there and when we were told that's what she had it was a shock, as she needs insulin so many times in a day.

“She is a real character and such an extrovert, but it felt like this stopped her in her tracks.

“It has been hard trying to get her to follow such strict rules, and it has taken away a lot of her independence, which has been difficult.

“It has been so complicated and definitely a major adjustment for us as a family.”