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I was diagnosed diabetic in 1993 just before my 21st. Now prior to my diagnosis I was like any 20 year old lad but after significant weight loss and a fatigue that wouldn’t end I went to the doctors. Following several blood tests I was admitted to hospital with a blood sugar of 47mmol/l and ketoacidosis (this is where the body breaks fat down for energy and it causes significantly high ketones). Now for the uninitiated normal sugars are between 4-7mmol/l and high ketones are not a good thing. Whilst in hospital I was put on an insulin/glucose  drip to get my sugars back in range and reduce the ketones. 4 days later I was discharged from hospital with my new medication, testing kits and a raft of information (what to eat, what not to eat, exercising, illnesses and diabetes, the list was almost endless). I was left feeling confused, angry and scared - testing regularly throughout the day (and night) , 4 insulin injections but may require extra if sugars spike significantly and finger pricking blood tests (more questions and limited answers), however I did what I do and got on with it. Several years on and I’m happy to say my diabetes is well managed and I’m in good health (thanks to advances in health care and my own determination not to let diabetes rule me) but - Diabetes does come with its challenges (hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, neuropathy, poor or failing eye sight, loss of limbs), These  are just a few complications that can arise but with advances in health care and technology the ability to reduce these and manage them is significantly improving. 

With all this in mind I used to enjoy cycling before becoming diabetic but haven’t really done any significant riding since being diagnosed, So in July I have decided to challenge myself and undertake a 100km cycle ride in a day in aid of diabetic research to further improve health care for those of that have to deal with this condition every day.

If you are able to donate then I will be eternally grateful for any amount you can donate but if you can’t donate then fear not as words of encouragement and support will be more than enough to help me achieve my challenge. My thanks in advance 

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