A three-year-old girl is battling more than most people may in their lifetime.

Hope Pearson, from Tonbridge, was diagnosed with diabetes at just 18-months-old after being rushed to hospital.

She was suffering from what the family thought was a chest infection, but once in hospital doctors revealed Hope’s blood sugar levels were extremely high.

Her mum Victoria, said: “Hope was very unwell one night and she started struggling to breathe then her hands and mouth turned blue, we called an ambulance straight away.

“Paramedics said to us that another 20 minutes later and she would not be alive today.”

The courageous youngster who lives in Watersfarm Road, started having regular insulin injections after being discharged from hospital.

Most children Hope’s age wouldn’t have a worry in the world, but she was given at least ten injections throughout a day and had to have her diet monitored, Victoria added: “She was a nightmare sometimes, it’s understandable that she didn’t like the needles though, who would.”

After battling with injections, Hope has now been given an NHS funded insulin pump, which secretes insulin into her body every few minutes through a small tube under the skin.

Victoria added: “The device sits in a small case on her hip which can be easily covered by clothes, the hospital said she was one of the youngest children they had given it to.”

A spokesman for Diabetes UK said: “It is quite uncommon for someone so young to firstly be diagnosed with type one diabetes, and secondly to be given an insulin pump - but it does happen.

“The device is usually suggested to children under the age of 12 if injections are not practical or appropriate.”

Although Hope has insulin secreted into her body automatically, her blood sugar levels are tested at least five times a day.

Victoria added: “It’s hard to tell with a young child whether they are feeling low or just having a tantrum.

"Hope can have a stroppy 5 minutes but sometimes you don’t know whether that’s just her being a three-year-old!

“Most children tend to sweat or shake when they’re low but Hope doesn’t, that’s why I test her so regularly.”

Victoria now wants to raise awareness of the device after experiencing unpleasant encounters with other parents.

She added: “People have been very rude to Hope before. She was playing with another little girl once and her mum saw the pump and said don’t play with her you might catch what she’s got.

“I know people might not be aware, but it was very ignorant. I want to reassure other parents and children who may be in the same situation.”

Hope can remain using this method until she is 10 at which point doctors may advise that she stops using the pump for a two-year period. She could be encouraged to try injections again in this time.

A Diabetes UK spokesman said: “Young people can stay on a pump for the rest of their life if all other methods have been tried and found inappropriate.

“Like anything, the device has some risks. There is a small risk of the device not working meaning that no insulin will be secreted through the tube.

“Young people can stay on a pump for the rest of their life if all other methods have been tried and found inappropriate" - Diabetes UK spokesman

“There is also the risk of infection if the tube under the skin is not changed every two or three days. Another problem for families is the cost, the pump costs £3000 on its own.”

Hope visits Maidstone hospital once a month for check ups. Her family and the staff at her nursery have been provided with the appropriate training to provide the best care possible.

Victoria said: “I would recommend it to anyone. Hope can now do all the things she should be doing at the age of three, she can take the pump off for two hours meaning she can even go swimming.

For more information visit: www.diabetesuk.co.uk