Not only has her husband Mathew Jones been living with type 1 diabetes for 30 years, their son 13-year-old Toby was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition in September.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, so the body can no longer turn glucose into energy.

There is no known cause, prevention or cure for what is one of the most common chronic conditions in children.

“We were lucky that we caught it early (with Toby) because we recognised the symptoms, took him to hospital and started the insulin regime straight away,” Ms Jones said.

“It’s something they’ve got for life, so we just have to make sure we have everything on hand everywhere we go.”

Ms Jones said the condition could be particularly hard on children, who had to cope with the daily demands of management and often felt alone.

But Toby said having someone in his family who understood exactly what he was going through made it easier.

While father and son did have their “down days”, Mr Jones said the situation was a good bonding opportunity and the pair constantly checked up on each other.

“I have experience so we share things like our readings and sugar levels and how much insulin,” he said.

The Jones family is participating in Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Australia’s One Walk in Ballarat.

Ms Jones said she hoped to see family, friends, teachers and other community members on the day because she knew just how much seeing those familiar faces would mean to Toby. 

The walks are held across the country to show support for those living with the condition, and raise funds and awareness in the hope of improving treatment and finding a cure.

Federal Labor health spokesperson Catherine King said juvenile diabetes was less recognised than type 2 diabetes and struggled to attract research dollars.

But she said JDRF was one of the most effective organisations at lobbying in the not-for-profit sector and it was “terrific” the foundation would be holding one of its fundraising events in Ballarat.

“It’s a day where you can realise you’re not on your own and there are families grappling with this right across the community,” Ms King said.

Ballarat’s JDRF One Walk will be held at Lake Wendouree on Sunday, November 19, starting on the lake foreshore between Pipers by the Lake and the playground at 10am.