Darcy Quinn was 15 months old when his mother, Melissa, noticed something was not right.
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He was eating, drinking and urinating more than usual.
Ms Quinn phoned her brother-in-law, Jay Quinn, a type 1 diabetic, and he quickly visited to test Darcy’s blood sugar level.
It was at a dangerously high 28mmol.
“I was at work in Newcastle at the time,” Darcy’s father, Ben, recalled.
“And she [Melissa] called to tell me Darcy was more than likely a type 1 diabetic and she was on her way to hospital with him.”
The diagnosis was confirmed at the John Hunter Hospital children’s ward where Ben and Melissa spent the next fortnight learning what would be required to protect Darcy from the risks of his lifelong illness.
“When we presented at the hospital that first time, the nurses and doctors were blown away that Melissa picked it up herself and Darcy was conscious when we came in,” Mr Quinn said.
“Usually the way they diagnose most babies is they present in a diabetic coma.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more in awe of my wife as I was that day, and that’s saying something because she constantly leaves me awestruck.”
Darcy, with the support of his parents and the aid of an insulin pump, turned eight in September.
He leads a very active lifestyle and can often be spotted listening to the live musicians that perform at his Grand Junction Hotel home, where his parents are the live-in publicans.
“Diabetes hasn’t stopped him from doing anything,” Mr Quinn said.
“In fact, it’s sharpened our focus on how important it is for our son to be active.
“Activity is another crucial part of sugar control.
“Darcy plays rugby for the Maitland Blacks, cricket in the Northern Suburbs Milo junior program, Little Athletics at Rutherford, and rides his boogie board at the beach whenever he can.”
On Saturday, the community will rally at the Grand Junction for a family-friendly fund-raiser called Porkstock.
The centrepiece of the day will be a roasted pig that Mr Quinn’s old friend Chad “Big Hank’’ Bischoff, and his father Wayne, have donated.
Proceeds from the pork dinner and donated raffle prizes will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
There will be live performances from Dave Wells, Lyle Dennis, Magpie Diaries and The Blue Ruins, plus a jumping castle for the kids.
Porkstock starts at 1pm and entry is free.