Young patients' art brightens diabetes clinic

The artistic expressions of two young patients will adorn the walls of Townsville University Hospital’s new diabetes clinic after a special printmaking workshop at Umbrella Studios.

Aspiring printmakers eight-year-old McKayla Bliesner and 10-year-old Matilda Bellamy have Type 1 diabetes.

Their creative endeavours will be installed as a gallery wall in the hospital’s new $6.6 million outpatient clinic, a shared space for adults and children.

McKayla’s mum Renee Bliesner said her daughter was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago and the family was constantly backwards and forwards to the hospital.

“The new space will be amazing, lighter, brighter and with art created by the kids it will change the whole experience,” she said.

“Diabetes is for life so if you have to go to hospital you want to be comfortable; the previous space was unfortunately a small area.”

McKayla, a Year 3 student at St Benedict’s, said the print-making workshop had been ‘so much fun’.

“We got to paint, use different patterns and water colours, and it’s really cool that our art will be on the walls at the hospital,” she said.

Annandale State School student Matilda was diagnosed with diabetes just five weeks ago.

Her mum, Melissa Crowe, said Matilda’s diagnosis was a ‘huge shock’ for the whole family.

“There’s no history of diabetes in the family, and I know now that’s not unusual,” she said.

Ms Crowe said Matilda’s fatigue, excessive thirst, weight loss, and ‘funny’ breath were all warning signs.

“She was drinking excessively and losing weight despite eating well,” she said.

“My husband picked up on it and went out and bought a glucose monitor,” she said.

“Her reading was 31.5, we rang 13HEALTH and they called an ambulance.”

Matilda said she was getting used to her diagnosis.

“It was a big shock but I’m getting used to it now and to what I have to do,” she said.

“I really enjoyed the workshop and I used different elements and water colours to make my print of a boat floating on the waves.”

Also making prints were endocrine nurse unit manager Angela Hubert and nursing, dietetics, and administration staff.

“We’ve loved being here with McKayla and Matilda creating something beautiful for our unit, which we all share,” she said.

Paediatric endocrinologist Dr Jason Yates said he was delighted to see the girls involved in creating art for the new unit.

“McKayla and Matilda are perfectly placed to design something that makes the clinic environment a more comfortable place for them,” he said.

Ahead of World Diabetes Day next week, Dr Yates said parents should be aware of the 4Ts – thirst, toilet, tired, and thinner.

“If your child is urinating excessively, constantly thirsty, tired, and losing weight, make an appointment with your GP,” he said.