Pixie Hind with her husband Peter.
Camera IconPixie Hind with her husband Peter. Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek www.communitypix.com.au d472455

Diabetes proves a life changer for Harrisdale woman

Jessica WarrinerComment News

HARRISDALE local Pixie Hind’s diabetes diagnosis when she was a teenager changed the course of her life.

She has lived with diabetes for 50 years, and it’s what first brought her and her husband together.

The actress and playwright was diagnosed a couple of months before her 16th birthday with extreme thirst – the first sign something was amiss.

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“I used to take three cool drink bottles of water to bed at night, and I’d drink the lot,” she said.

“It was terrible. After this went on for a week or so, Mum said ‘Frank was like that’ – that was my father’s brother,” Mrs Hind said.

“She took me to the doctor, and did the old-fashioned test with urine and water and a pill that fizzed.”

Mrs Hind said she was taken to hospital and spent some time under the care of a medical team until she was able to give herself a needle.

“The first 36 hours I was having trouble. I couldn’t stick this needle into my leg.

“My father came to see me in the hospital and said ‘Darling, the day you give yourself that needle, I will give you anything you want in the world.’ Of course the next day I managed to give myself the needle, and my older sister came to see me in hospital and said, ‘Dad’s worried out of his mind – he thinks you’re going to ask for a trip around the world’.

“I said ‘You can tell him I either want a nylon fur stole – which was all the go – or find me someone my own age to go to the Royal Show with so I can go on the rides.”

Mrs Hind’s father asked Peter Hind, his friend’s son, to accompany her to the Royal Show.

“That was our first date… we were joined at the wrist from then on,” Mrs Hind said.

The pair went on to marry and have two children. Mrs Hind said she was thankful for advances in diabetes management and technology over the decades.

“When I got diabetes, there was so much that you couldn’t or shouldn’t eat. Now we know it’s about balance and timing,” she said.

“It’s easier because I’m used to it and I’m accustomed to it.

“Once you get used to it, you’re fine.”

Mrs Hind said managing type 1 diabetes can be a nuisance at times, but it is not as difficult as people may think.

“Diabetes isn’t such a bad thing to have. It’s just a part of living, that’s all,” she said.

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