Currently organising a Sports Dinner, Including Horse Race and Auction. taking place on Saturday 11th April 2015 at Tiverton Rugby Club. Please share and donate to this great cause!

Currently organising a Sports Dinner, Including Horse Race and Auction. taking place on Saturday 11th April 2015 at Tiverton Rugby Club. Please share and donate to this great cause!

I am very fortunate to have been accepted to run in the 2015 Virgin London Marathon supporting Diabetes UK. This is a charity of great significance to myself and the hundreds of thousands of others who are affected by Diabetes within the UK every day.

Diabetes is a condition which results in the body being unable to produce insulin, prohibiting the breakdown glucose in the body. There are three different approaches to control diabetes: dietary, tablet (type 2) and insulin (type 1).

My Story…

When I was 14 years of age I went to see my local GP as I had started drinking excessively and urinating frequently. My parents and I were informed that I had high blood sugar levels and I had probably developed a form of diabetes. My parents took me straight to our local hospital for further tests. On arrival my blood sugar levels had returned within a normal level and doctors explained that they would monitor my levels over the coming months. Over a period of 3 months my health deteriorated rather dramatically, I lost a lot of weight and was hospitalised 4 times with high blood sugar levels. Every time my sugar levels returned within a safe range. I had several consultations with the paediatric diabetes team at Exeter hospital. At first they attempted controlling my blood sugar levels using a dietary controlled approach, this however did not work and my blood sugar levels continued to rise. My health continued to deteriorate, it was at this point that the doctors started me on a low unit slow acting insulin regime. My body reacted well to the insulin and my health started to improve. The doctors confirmed that despite progress in my health, my insulin dosage would have to be increased as my body was producing less and less insulin. They explained that this type of diagnoses was extremely unusual and Dr Tripp of Exeter wrote a piece in a medical journal describing my diagnosis. My diagnoses process was a frightening time for myself and all my family, but the support and guidance from various doctors and advice from organisations including Diabetes UK really helped to support me through this very difficult time. I am now 24 years old and manage my diabetes through four injections a day, consisting of both fast and slow acting insulin’s. I have always had a desire to take part in the London Marathon and feel that I have a lot to be thankful for, for all the guidance and support Diabetes UK have offered myself and my family. I feel the services and research undertaken by Diabetes UK is crucial for all those who live with diabetes on a daily basis.

In preparation for the Marathon I am and will continue to train rigorously in a bid to improve my muscular and cardio-vascular fitness. It is also important that I am able to control my diabetes alongside my training regime and prepare myself for the challenges ahead. I have spoken with several people who have partaken in the Marathon and they have all thoroughly enjoyed. It is an experience that I cannot wait to be a part of.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read through my page, any donations received will be greatly appreciated!

 

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