How can I support?
A male family member of mine, aged 12, has just been diagnosed with Addison’s disease, and I’m trying to understand as much as I can so I can support him and his parents too.
I’ve been reading up on it, but there’s only so much you can learn from medical information. I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have Addison’s themselves, or parents/carers of children who have been diagnosed.
What do you wish you’d known when you or your child was first diagnosed?
Is there anything family members can do that makes day-to-day life easier, or anything you think is particularly important for us to understand?
I imagine it must be a huge adjustment for a 12-year-old, so I’d also be interested in hearing how people found the emotional/social side of things, particularly at school and with friends.
I’m not looking for medical advice or to replace what his doctors have told him — I’d just really value some practical advice and personal experiences.
Any support, advice or things you think I should know would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you.