A diabetic Scottish mum was tragically found dead in her home by her sister after suffering from a sickness bug.
Joanna Reekie was found in her Glenrothes home in Fife after being bed-bound for nearly two weeks on March 12. Just days later she was discovered having suffered a diabetic ketoacidosis - a condition which occurs when the body doesn't have enough insulin.
Joanna's sister Lauren and dad Lawrence found the 37-year-old and tried to perform CPR but she was sadly pronounced dead by doctors at the scene.
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Speaking to the Record, 35-year-old Lauren said: "We're all just devastated. She had been working late running the youth club for local kids just a few days before.
"She came down with a sickness bug on Sunday but nothing out of the ordinary. My dad and I said we would check in on her while her fiance John was at work and the kids were at school.
"In the morning she was up talking and drinking fluids. We went back that afternoon and found her.
"Survival mode just kicked in. I performed CPR on her before the doctors arrived but they couldn't resuscitate her either. Her body had just shut down. This has come out of nowhere. We're all feeling completely numb."
Joanna, a youth worker, had found out she had Type 1 diabetes in 2015 when she fell pregnant. Her condition was being managed until she was diagnosed with diabetic myopathy - which causes a reduction in muscle mass and physical capacity - in September 2022.
Joanna lost three stone and began to suffer from dizziness and fatigue after trying several different medications. Despite her symptoms, Lauren described her carrying on like her "normal, bubbly self."
She added: "The diabetic myopathy left Joanna in a lot of pain. Despite this she continued to be her normal, bubbly self, working away. She would always bounce back.
Paying tribute to her sister, Lauren said Joanna was a pillar in her community who voluntarily set up clubs for kids in Glenrothes during lockdown. One programme was Friday Night Football where up to 50-60 kids join in as part of Collydean Community Centre. The mum eventually became employed in the youth team there.
Lauren added: "She had a real passion for young people and really wanted to be part of the community. She was making a huge difference.
"Joanna was the type of person who would give you her last £10 if it meant you could pay your gas bill. Her heart was full of compassion.
"She is such a huge loss and everyone in the community is shocked. We've been overwhelmed by the fantastic support at this hard time."
A fundraiser for Joanna's funeral costs and to support her kids has been set up. You can donate here.
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