World Diabetes Day, 2001
One day that changed everything... Or did it?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 11. If I am brutally honest, I didn't have a clue what Diabetes was, what was happening to me, or what would and could happen in the future. I was lucky enough to have parents who could cope and understand the ins and outs right away. It was a fast and steep learning curve for my parents and me.
Sport has always been my passion. Even before I was diagnosed. I have never considered my Diabetes to stop this.
I think the hardest part of it, is awareness or potentially the misinterpretation of the condition by others. Is he OK? Are his sugar levels fine? Does he need insulin? I honestly don't know if I'd know much about Diabetes if it wasn't for having it myself!
Regardless of this, I race and train to the best of my ability. It is only a boundary if I let it be one!
Back to the question, did it change everything? Maybe. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. I like to look at it in the following way. It gave and still gives me a routine (my folks may disagree), something that a lot of people at that age didn't or don't have. Further to this it is something that goes hand in hand with my sport.
If I could do one thing with my knowledge and experience I've gained up until this point (may not be much) it would be to help/inspire, another man, woman or child with diabetes. If you have any questions or stories I’d love to hear from you. Please use the contact form to the right.
One day that changed everything... Or did it?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 11. If I am brutally honest, I didn't have a clue what Diabetes was, what was happening to me, or what would and could happen in the future. I was lucky enough to have parents who could cope and understand the ins and outs right away. It was a fast and steep learning curve for my parents and me.
Sport has always been my passion. Even before I was diagnosed. I have never considered my Diabetes to stop this.
I think the hardest part of it, is awareness or potentially the misinterpretation of the condition by others. Is he OK? Are his sugar levels fine? Does he need insulin? I honestly don't know if I'd know much about Diabetes if it wasn't for having it myself!
Regardless of this, I race and train to the best of my ability. It is only a boundary if I let it be one!
Back to the question, did it change everything? Maybe. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. I like to look at it in the following way. It gave and still gives me a routine (my folks may disagree), something that a lot of people at that age didn't or don't have. Further to this it is something that goes hand in hand with my sport.
If I could do one thing with my knowledge and experience I've gained up until this point (may not be much) it would be to help/inspire, another man, woman or child with diabetes. If you have any questions or stories I’d love to hear from you. Please use the contact form to the right.
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| Diabetes UK Support Camp - Giggleswick, Yorkshire |
