Parents launch mental health initiative after son's Type 1 diabetes shock

A four-year-old boy from the Isle of Man was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after falling ill on a family trip to Croatia. His parents, Will and Chloe, now aim to support other families facing the same challenge through a new mental health initiative.

The project, backed by Will's accountancy firm Yellowstone, will offer funded emotional support to families with newly diagnosed children on the island.

Ffynlo's diagnosis came suddenly after he became unwell following the holiday. He spent five days in a children's ward, where his parents learned to manage his condition—including insulin injections and carbohydrate counting.

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin. While medical care for Ffynlo was excellent, Will and Chloe found emotional support lacking. They now want to fill that gap for others.

The initiative will partner with Cassim Rasool, a Positive Psychology Life Coach, to provide tailored support. Diabetes Isle of Man reports 38 families on the island currently caring for children under 18 with Type 1 diabetes, with one to three new cases diagnosed each year.

Will hopes more businesses will join as sponsors, creating a lasting model of community-backed help. He notes that while diabetes technology has improved, emotional support for families has not kept up.

The new programme will offer free mental health assistance to families adjusting to a child's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. With Yellowstone as the first corporate sponsor, the initiative aims to expand with further backing. The goal is to ensure no family on the Isle of Man faces the emotional strain alone.