My Story
Welcome to my Diabetes UK Wellness Walk fundraising page!
I have been living with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 11 and found this a very challenging condition to be living with back then. I was in hospital for just over a week having been virtually in a coma before my diagnosis. I learned to inject using an orange and was then sent home to get on with it. My parents were shattered. They had no idea what to do. We were all in a whirl of fear with a lack of knowledge and very little support. It was the days of boiling glass syringes, urine testing, strict adherence to “120g carb a day” and no chocolate biscuits as they made your blood sugars rise too quickly! My Consultant at the time said I could attend his clinic if I was a “good diabetic” and he did not like it when I put on too much weight. They had told me to eat as much cheese as I liked so what did they expect!
For years I hid my struggle to get my head around it all. We were offered little positive support and the only advice we were given was very clinical and that I needed to watch my weight!
In the midst of this, I read the Balance magazine and the information in it began to form the basis of my understanding and acceptance of my diabetes. My parents gave me life membership of the BDA (British Diabetic Association) as it was then. I read about their research projects and was inspired by the huge advances in care and management. It helped me understand how possible it was to get better control of my diabetes. I had developed diabetic retinopathy and what I was reading in the Balance, also made me aware of how important it was to look after myself, not only physically but also emotionally. Both the magazine and their helpline offered so much information, advice and support and things began to change for the better.
Although it is still challenging to manage on a daily basis, it is so much easier now as I am on an insulin pump with continuous blood glucose monitoring. My diabetic specialist team has been invaluable in offering me support over the past 30 years. This ensures the best management of my diabetes and significantly reduces my risk of developing further complications. None of this progress would have been possible without Diabetes UK. They have funded so much innovative research and are powerful advocates for people with diabetes, enabling us to live our best lives. They have lifted so many barriers through influencing policy and providing wider education and knowledge within society.
I am walking for Diabetes UK to thank them for transforming diabetic care and support. If I had a message to give to my 11-year-old self, it would be that you can live a good and happy life. Therefore, do not give up trying to manage your diabetes. You may not avoid diabetic complications but these can be managed well. When you struggle, there will always be someone there to offer support, advice, encouragement and acceptance. You will always be a person with diabetes but it will not define you. I'm also doing this walk in memory of my Mum and Dad who were always there beside me. I'm doing this walk with my wife, Valerie who is my 'sympathetic diabetic' and offers me continuous love and support.
If you are able to make a donation, it would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
