James Norton was hailed ‘a true inspiration’ as he educated children about living with diabetes in a CBeebies Bedtime Story, which aired on Friday.
The Happy Valley star, 38, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 22, read the book How to Manage a Mammoth by Dr Rose Stewart to help families explore what it’s like living with it.
James lived up to his heartthrob status as he read allowed to viewers, joined by his teddy bear who wore a glucose monitor.
Introducing the story, James said: ‘Hello, my name is James. This story is slightly different. It focuses on Type 1 diabetes.
James Norton was hailed ‘a true inspiration’ as he educated children about living with diabetes in a CBeebies Bedtime Story, which aired on Friday
The Happy Valley star, 38, who lives with type 1 diabetes himself, is seen helping children to learn about the illness as he read How to Manage a Mammoth
‘I am a diabetic myself. To thos parents who have diabetes. Hello, respect. I hope those levels are behaving.
‘To those parents who have a diabetic child, perhaps recently diagnosed, I feel your anxiety and confusion. It’s a lot.
‘So give yourselves a break and a pat on the back. It will get easier.’
Fans flooded a clip of actor on the channel’s official Instagram page, saying: ‘There is not a better advocate than James Norton.’
‘There is not a better advocate than @jginorton to encourage, support and raise awareness in such a positive way’; ‘When I didn’t think I could love @jginorton anymore… THIS…’;
‘I could not love this message more and it will help so many parents of t1 children. I wish I had seen it when my daughter was first diagnosed 7 years ago. Enormous respect for James and everyone who got this onto Bedtime stories’; ‘Love this man!! He is an inspiration to all us type 1 diabetics. I’ve had this condition for 31 years and absolutely 100% agree with James. I control the diabetes; it does not control me!!’
‘My husband was diagnosed with t1 diabetes when our boys were little, this would have been so lovely for them to see. Thankyou @jginorton for raising awareness for anyone with t1 ❤️ and to Dr Rose Stewart. X’; ‘As the Mum of a 14yr old T1D THIS is exactly what I tell him “you’re in charge, you get to decide whats what..not diabetes” will be showing this to him and his little brother Well done @jginorton #for continuing to raise awareness’;
‘Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story, my daughter has T1D and has not let that stop her doing anything. She’s just had a baby and her pregnancy was not easy because of diabetes but had amazing support from @nhstayside’; ‘The best positive message to give anyone dealing with type 1. Need to hear far more positive messages like this so well done James & thank you’;
Fans were in awe of the actor and rushed to share heartfelt comments, praising him for spreading positive awareness towards both parents and children and called him a ‘true inspiration’
In the bedtime story, 8-year-old Jake is learning to live with his diabetes which he imagines is a mammoth called Mel
One way the actor is trying to teach children how to accept and manage diabetes is by cuddling a teddy bear with a continuous glucose monitor on it
‘Truly truly wonderful what James is doing. He is SO helpful to everyone with Diabetes. Much much respect to him too. I do not have the condition myself, thankfully, but know if several people who do. It must be very worrying, frustrating and confusing. Wish everyone, adults, children much strength.’
CBeebies Bedtime Story has seen a host of Hollywood stars settle down and read a children’s book.
One way the actor is trying to teach children how to accept and manage diabetes is by cuddling a teddy bear with a continuous glucose monitor on it.
In the bedtime story, eight-year-old Jake is learning to live with his diabetes which he imagines is a mammoth called Mel.
Jake and his mum join forces with their friends to work out how to shrink Mel the diabetes mammoth to a manageable size.
James said: ‘My diabetes animal is a big shaggy dog called Bruce. When I first got Bruce, he was a puppy.
‘He was difficult to control because he was always overexcited. Now, he’s a bit older and calmer.
‘He still gets scared when someone’s at the door or he’s hungry. And then he barks very loudly. Or when he gets excited, he still runs around and knocks things over.
‘But generally he strolls along by my side. Bruce is my pal. I’m pleased to say that today Bruce is under control and very calm, which makes me feel very happy and relaxed.’
The Happy Valley actor opened up about the struggles he faces living with diabetes last December with Lampoon Magazine.
The Type 1 diabetic told how he struggled to hide his diabetes sensor during naked scenes in the controversial play A Little Life which he starred in earlier this year.
James wears a Dexcom sensor, which monitors glucose in the blood, and has told how it was hard to cover it up when he was taking part in the naked scenes.
He said: ‘As an actor, I have to cover the sensor up every night, I have my microphone packed on the arm as well.
‘I spend some of the play completely naked – usually you’d have a microphone pack around your belt but since I’m naked it goes on the arm. Microphone on one arm, the sensor on the other – it’s quite sweet, the sound guy has now called it my puck.
The star told how the condition can be a ‘complete b***h’ and ‘life threatening’ as he called for people to ‘show support’ for all ‘diabetic warriors’
In 2022 James shared an impassioned post to his Instagram to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR DIABETES PATIENTS TO MEASURE THEIR GLUCOSE LEVELS?
Diabetes is a serious life-long condition that occurs when the amount of sugar in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly.
Patients have to regular monitor their glucose levels to prevent them from developing any potentially fatal complications.
Type 1 diabetes patients are often recommended to test their blood sugar at least four times a day. For type 2 patients, doctors advise to test twice a day.
Blood glucose levels should be between the ranges of 3.5–5.5mmol/L before meals and less than 8mmol/L, two hours after meals.
Diabetes patients have to regular monitor their glucose levels to prevent them from developing any potentially fatal complications
Hypoglycemia (when blood sugar drops below 4 mmol/L) can occasionally lead to patients falling into comas in severe cases.
However, it most often can be treated through eating or drinking 15-20g of fast acting carbohydrate, such 200ml of Lucozade Energy Original.
Sufferers can tell they are experiencing a hypo when they suddenly feel tired, have difficulty concentrating or feel dizzy.
Type 1 diabetes patients are more likely to experience a hypo, because of the medications they take, including insulin.
Hyperglycemia (when blood sugar is above 11.0 mmol/L two hours after a meal) can also have life-threatening complications.
It happens when the body either has too little insulin, seen in type 1, or it can’t use its supply properly, most often in type 2.
In the short-term, it can lead to conditions including ketoacidosis – which causes ketones to be released into the body.
If left untreated, hyperglycemia can lead to long-term complications, such as impotence and amputations of limbs.
Regular exercise can help to lower blood sugar levels over time, and following a healthy diet and proper meal planning can also avoid dangerous spikes.
‘I never called it a puck before. They cover that with a skin-colored bandage and so I look like an action man with straps on.’
He further opened up about the condition saying when ‘low glucose is coming’ he gets bad anxiety and feels an ‘existential dread’, saying it can even make him feel like ‘life is not worth living’.