Marathon for Diabetes

Being diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes is a life-changing event.

Your daily routine becomes a fine balancing act between self-administered insulin and carbohydrates. You have to learn to see food in numbers and be constantly vigilant over your sugar levels. You have to learn how your activity levels affect your blood glucose. You have to be careful around alcohol. You have to carry around emergency sugar tablets, a blood glucose testing kit, insulin, a glucagon injection, etc. You have to set in place a regime of regular medical checks (eyes, feet, heart). You have to explain yourself at social events when you fiddle with needles or your insulin pump.

If that sounds overwhelming, it can be! And, frankly, the medical system is not set up to provide all the education necessary for diabetics to lead healthy and long lives. I was fortunate enough to be assigned a diabetic educator when I was diagnosed in Australia – someone that became a good friend and inspired me to maintain my health and fitness. However, I understand that this is something that rarely happens in New Zealand.

Diabetes NZ is a charity that represents and supports people with diabetes. Their mission is to see that every person in NZ affected by, or at risk of, diabetes has access to the information and support needed to manage their health and well-being. It may not sound glamorous, but they are saving lives with their advocacy. You can find out more at https://www.diabetes.org.nz/

I've set myself the challenge of completing a marathon to raise funds for Diabetes NZ. This personal challenge is something I would never have considered possible when I was diagnosed six years ago. However, I am determined to show that this disease is not a barrier to living a healthy life.