Little Zion Williams was only two years old when his life took a sudden turn after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. His parents, Deborah and Cephas, who are entrepreneurs, hurried him to the emergency room after two weeks of stomach pains and significant weight loss. Tests revealed his blood sugar levels were alarmingly high at 49.9, far above the normal range of 4 to 8.
Recalling the ordeal, Deborah mentioned Zion’s complaints of stomach pains and a persistent cold, which led to his noticeable weight loss. Despite the shocking diagnosis, with only about 35,000 individuals under 19 in the UK living with Type 1 diabetes, Deborah expressed disbelief as diabetes was not hereditary in their families.
Doctors were surprised to find Zion, one of fewer than 200 children aged two and under diagnosed with Type 1 in the UK, playing happily despite his condition. The family spent several days in the hospital, learning to administer insulin injections to Zion, a distressing experience for everyone involved.
Fortunately, Zion, now five years old, has adapted well to managing his diabetes with a continuous glucose monitoring system and an insulin pump. This technology allows him to monitor and control his blood sugar levels effectively, enabling him to enjoy his childhood without restrictions.
Despite Zion’s positive progress, his parents have observed a lack of awareness about diabetes in society. Determined to make a difference, the family is launching Draw for Diabetes, a 12-hour art marathon on World Diabetes Day. Zion’s passion for drawing inspired this initiative, aimed at raising awareness and promoting inclusivity for children with Type 1 diabetes.
The family plans to expand Draw for Diabetes into a national campaign involving schools, brands, and creative communities. They aim to educate people about Type 1 diabetes and foster a supportive environment for affected children. Additionally, they intend to organize a basketball initiative following the art marathon, aligning with Zion’s interests.
Zion’s father, Cephas, expressed hope that the Draw for Diabetes event marks just the beginning of their advocacy efforts. Zion, along with his schoolmates, will participate in the art marathon live on YouTube, showcasing his drawings and engaging the community. Everyone is encouraged to join the initiative by creating and sharing their artwork online using the hashtag #DrawForDiabetes.
To show support for Zion on World Diabetes Day, individuals can draw a picture and share it on social media using the hashtag #drawfordiabetes, tagging @Zionsworld2020. The 12-hour art marathon can be followed on @Zionsworld2020 on Instagram and TikTok. Donations can be made at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/zionsworld.