Diabetes diagnosis sees young Sheffield hospital patients become best pals

Youngsters Tommy and Sophie have a bond like no other as they have supported each other through their journey with diabetes.
By Kate Mason
Published 10th Mar 2020, 12:48 BST
Updated 10th Mar 2020, 15:58 BST
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The pair’s friendship was formed after they both needed emergency treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Three-year-old Sophie Underwood, from Gleadless, and Tommy Lipski, aged four, from Rotherham, both required critical care at the hospital emergency department - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, after developing serious complications from type 1 diabetes.

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The children are now supporting each other by comparing their insulin pumps, blood sugar levels and, of course, sharing sweets.

Four-year-old Tommy Lipski and three-year-old Sophie Underwood both required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.Four-year-old Tommy Lipski and three-year-old Sophie Underwood both required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.
Four-year-old Tommy Lipski and three-year-old Sophie Underwood both required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.

They are also determined to say thank you for their care by fundraising for The Children’s Hospital Charity, which supports the hospital.

Shortly after their discharge from hospital Sarah, Sophie’s mum, and Jessica, Tommy’s mum, met at a support group for parents of children with diabetes – and Tommy and Sophie quickly formed a lasting friendship.

Jessica said: “We try to meet regularly, not only because they’re friends, but also to remind them they are not alone in this journey and they have someone who can truly understand how they feel.

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“As parents, we try to understand how they feel and always do our best to care for them, but it’s not the same as having support from someone who is also going through what you’re going through.”

Three-year-old Sophie Underwood with mum Sarah and four-year-old Tommy Lipski with mum Jessica -both children required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.Three-year-old Sophie Underwood with mum Sarah and four-year-old Tommy Lipski with mum Jessica -both children required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.
Three-year-old Sophie Underwood with mum Sarah and four-year-old Tommy Lipski with mum Jessica -both children required critical care at the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital - Sophie in 2017 and Tommy 14 months later, with serious complications from type 1 diabetes.

Tommy and Sophie also aim to raise £1,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity this year to say thank you.

As well as holding a raffle, they have organised a coffee morning next month while Tommy is also selling his toys and books to help.

Sarah said: “Sophie and Tommy make us proud every single day, they take everything in their stride.

“To be working together to try to help other children in their situation just makes us admire them even more.”

Related topics:YoungstersSheffieldSheffield Children's HospitalRotherham