April 2024 marks 10 years since I was diagnosed with Diabetes. I want to do something, something big. So I have decided to walk the Cape Wrath Trail. I have decided on this as a test of myself (I have never walked this far before, let alone camp for almost 3 weeks) and also to help show what is possible as an insulin dependent diabetic. Controlling my blood sugars as I walk and camp over this time and distance will be a serious challenge.

The Cape Wrath Trail is over 400km long, starting in Fort William and finishing in Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point of the UK. This walk will take me 3 weeks to complete. I know times are tough at the moment but anything you can spare will help change the lives of those living with Diabetes in the UK.

How did I get here?

In April 2014 my whole world changed. I was 19 and working in Canada. I knew something wasn’t right but I didn’t really understand what or how big an impact it would come to have. I was tired all the time, drinking about 6 litres of water a day and eating close to 4000 calories, but these symptoms had built slowly over time and so I didn’t see them as what they were, a big flashing sign telling me I was really ill. It was only when I developed excruciating headaches and balance problems that I started to seek medical help.

Within a couple of weeks my mum had flown out to Canada, packed up my stuff and brought me back to the UK. I went to hospital and was diagnosed with diabetes. At the time I don’t think I really understood what this meant for my life. I was determined not to let it stop me but what did that even really mean?

I was originally diagnosed with type 1 diabetes with an albeit odd presentation. Due to the nature of my diagnosis and inconsistencies with type 1 diabetes, testing was done and it was discovered that I have a form of what’s called monogenic diabetes – in my case, a very rare genetic mutation of my insulin gene (a freak, unlucky genetic accident; neither of my parents is a carrier. Despite the change in diagnosis I take multiple insulin injections everyday and effectively live like a type 1 diabetic.

Learning to live as an insulin dependent diabetic has been hard. Everything I do will have an impact on my blood sugars and learning how to cope and manage this has taken a long time. But I have managed to build a good career for myself doing what I love, as an outdoor pursuits instructor and mountain leader, living in the Scottish Highlands.

10 years ago I wouldn’t have thought this was possible and in part it is only possible through the developments that have come in diabetes technology, particularly Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

How you can help...

I am fundraising for two charities on this page you can donate to JDRF.

Why give to JDRF?

JDRF stands for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This Charities aim is to improve the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes and to find a cure for type 1. I hope that in my lifetime a cure is found.

I don't have type 1 myself but I spent my first 4 years as a diabetic believing that I did. I also live is much the same way as a person with type 1 diabetes, checking my blood sugars and using insulin to control my diabetes and as such I know what a toll this can take on a persons life. It won't help me but please donate to help make this way of living a thing of the past!

Please consider making a donation to 1 or both of these charities to support me on this walk. I know there will be times when the only thing that will keep me going is the generosity of those who have donated to my cause.

Thanks for reading this. I really appreciate anything you can give to help me reach my target.

Ailsa