A Personal Journey

Empower T1D (formerly PPEDS - Ponies and Pets Educating Diabetics and Siblings) is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of its founder, Kerie Coutts. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes herself in 1977 at the age of 12 – the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee – Kerie initially felt like her world was ending. A county long-distance runner, she had been experiencing unexplained fatigue. The diagnosis came after noticing classic symptoms like excessive thirst and frequent urination.

"I was given a big glass syringe with metal needles that you screwed on, and something called a Clinitest kit," she recalls from the article in Desang Magazine. Just five weeks later, she and her single mother moved to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Life in Africa presented significant challenges, particularly difficulty obtaining diabetes supplies, adding stress to an already confusing time. "Looking back, I can see that I really hadn't gotten to grips with it, and no one else really understood what it was like living with the condition.”

Despite the difficulties and occasional hospital stays due to high blood glucose (often exacerbated by the heat, a factor not understood at the time), Kerie continued her athletics, even breaking local 100m and 200m records. This resilience marked her approach to life with diabetes.

Finding Understanding and Passion

Returning to England just before her 16th birthday, Kerie became independent quickly and pursued her lifelong love of horses, starting her first horse yard at 17. Her time riding in Africa had cemented this passion. While diabetes care was improving in the UK, a pivotal moment came later during a visit to a diabetes clinic in Florida, USA.

"I learnt more from him [the consultant, who also had T1D] in 45 minutes then in all the years previously," Kerie noted. She realised the immense value of connecting with others who understood the condition and began to trust her own instincts regarding her care, moving past the "white coat syndrome" – the anxiety often associated with clinic visits. It was also during time spent working with horses in America that she cared for a particularly safe horse named Pedro, affectionately known as 'Peds'.

Connecting Animals and Diabetes Care

Back in the UK and managing her own horse yard, Kerie noticed parallels between equine health and diabetes management. Conditions like 'Monday morning sickness' in Shire horses (caused by glucose buildup from incorrect feeding relative to workload) and laminitis highlighted the importance of diet and activity – principles directly applicable to diabetes care. "Fundamentally, too many sugars and carbs in the horses' diet isn't good for them," she observed, drawing a connection to human dietary needs.

This insight became the spark for PPEDS, founded in 1994 and later evolving into Empower T1D. The charity was built on the idea of using the responsibility and connection involved in caring for horses and other animals to teach children about their own condition in a practical, engaging, and non-clinical environment.

"The children come to work with the horses, but at the same time learn about living with diabetes." - Kerie Coutts (Adapted from Desang article)

Fostering Independence and Community

Empower T1D strongly emphasizes empowering children. Kerie observed that children needed to take ownership of their diabetes management, asking them to carry their own kits and be responsible. The charity aims to counter feelings of being different or defeated, fostering independence and resilience. Ideally, families connect with the program within the first few years of diagnosis before potentially unhelpful habits or attitudes set in.

A vital, somewhat unexpected, outcome was the peer support network that formed among parents and carers during events. While children were occupied, adults found space to connect, share coping strategies, offload frustrations, and find reassurance in shared experiences.

"We found that we needed course leaders that were not obsessive about the numbers... an attitude that is pragmatic based on the situation." - Kerie Coutts (Adapted from Desang article)

Looking Ahead

Today, Empower T1D continues its mission at Morelands Copse Camping, offering a unique, natural setting for learning and support. The vision includes incorporating dedicated nursing and psychological expertise into courses to provide even more comprehensive care.

Funding for these vital activities is supported in part by the adjacent Morelands Copse Camping venture. Kerie's enduring vision ensures that Empower T1D remains a place where children learn not just about managing diabetes, but about resilience, community, and living a full, sweet life despite the challenges.

Information adapted from: My Diabetes Kit: Kerie Coutts, Desang Diabetes Magazine (March 26, 2021).