THE FINAL HELPING Neil Donnelly
Neil is a Fellow of the BDA and retired Dietetic Services Manager. His main areas of interest are weight management and eating disorders.
Well this month’s Final Helping has undergone a last-minute change. Type 1 diabetes has to be the main topic. This is as a result of Theresa May becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She was diagnosed three years ago and now we have a further high profile example, particularly to young people with this condition, of what can be achieved and undertaken whilst managing their chosen path in life. Whatever political views you may have, Theresa May should be an inspiration to many. In the past, I have followed the way that two top sportsmen, both with Type 1 diabetes, have performed. Sir Steve Redgrave, a British rower and winner of gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000 and Gary Mabbutt, England International footballer who made 477 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, have both reached the pinnacle in their respective sporting pursuits. Now we are in the position of viewing probably the most high profile person in the country carrying out her extremely demanding political role and “getting on with it”. When I tuned in to Mrs May’s first ‘Prime Minister’s Question Time’ from the House of Commons, the issue was indeed raised. Jamie Reed, Labour MP for Copeland stated, “As a Type 1 diabetic and as a father and an uncle to children with Type 1 diabetes, on behalf of five hundred thousand people, thirty thousand of them children in this country, can I thank the prime Minister for the example she has shown to those
people in demonstrating without doubt that it doesn’t hold us back in any way whatsoever.” Mrs May replied, “There are many youngsters out there, from tiny tots to teenagers, living with Type 1 diabetes and I think it’s important that we give the message to them that their future is not limited, they can do whatever they want.” By coincidence a further example of this was brought to my attention by my next-door-neighbour a few days earlier. He is a teacher with Type 1 diabetes and is participating in a study whereby you can test your blood sugar using a small sensor that is placed on the back of your upper arm with an applicator and automatically captures glucose readings day and night. He showed me and in literally one second he had a glucose reading. It even has an eight-hour glucose history, is water resistant and can be taken through clothing. The feedback from users has seemingly been excellent, so further supporting them in managing their condition and their lives. For me, I also only just found out that my iPhone also measures how many steps I take each day via the ‘Health App’, so excuse me if this is not new news to you all. I’m off for a walk…
www.NHDmag.com August / September 2016 - Issue 117
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