13/07/2026
Young Bundaberg Local Creates World's First Type 1 Diabetes Puppet 👏
A young Bundaberg resident has turned personal experience into a creative masterpiece, designing what is believed to be the world's first diabetes puppet during a Bridges Health & Community Care Puppetry Workshop.
Marlon Draper, 10, drew inspiration from his own journey living with Type 1 diabetes, creating the puppet as an extension of himself. Aptly named "Bumblebul Toejam" – a playful take on the Abominable Snowman – the puppet even features a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) patch on its hand, just like the one Marlon wears every day.
Bumblebul Toejam also sports a top hat, reflecting Marlon's own collection of top hats.
"The puppet is a silly version of me," Marlon said.
Marlon's mother, Kelli Barreiros says she searched extensively for other Type 1 diabetes-inspired puppets but was unable to find any examples, leading the family to believe Bumblebul Toejam may be the world's first diabetes puppet.
"I researched it, even used ChatGPT, and couldn't find anything like it," Ms Barreiros said.
The creation comes just in time for National Diabetes Week, which raises awareness of the challenges faced by Australians living with all types of diabetes and highlights the importance of education, support and understanding.
For Marlon and his family, living with Type 1 diabetes has presented a unique set of challenges.
Ms Barreiros says the diagnosis had been difficult for the family to navigate, particularly within the school system.
"I'm his pancreas," Ms Barreiros said.
"Diabetes in schools doesn't have a national standard, so when you're going to school, you're not really supported as a parent. That's why we homeschool now."
Ms Barreiros says discovering the puppetry workshop through a local page had been a positive experience for Marlon, who has had limited opportunities to connect with other children living with Type 1 diabetes.
"He hasn't met another kid with Type 1 diabetes," she said.
The workshop not only gave Marlon the opportunity to express himself creatively but also helped him to build confidence performing in front of an audience.
"I can perform without getting stage fright. The puppet’s doing all the looking and they made it so we look directly at the audience as the puppet and the only time I saw the audience was when I was sitting with the puppet waiting for my turn or bowing."
Marlon hopes to return next year and create another puppet – this time, a friend for Bumblebul.
"They would be ultra best friends," he said.
Asked what he likes most about puppetry, Marlon's answer was simple.
"I like being myself," Marlon said.
"My alter ego is Him Jenson."
