The ages and stages of my life with type 1 - Australian Diabetes ...
The ages and stages of my life with type 1 - Australian Diabetes ...
The ages and stages of my life with type 1 - Australian Diabetes ...
- No tags were found...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
My <strong>life</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>type</strong> 1<br />
diabetes<br />
Alex Chapman
My diagnosis<br />
• March 1989: 3 years old<br />
• Quick-thinking by parents was key to a fast diagnosis<br />
• Prince <strong>of</strong> Wales Hospital, R<strong>and</strong>wick, was the start <strong>of</strong> a new <strong>life</strong><br />
• Family friend: “This is such a relief!”
Childhood<br />
• Very underst<strong>and</strong>ing parents who immediately took on the role <strong>of</strong> carer<br />
• Trying to control an active young child was quite difficult for the family<br />
• Being diagnosed at such a young age was an advantage<br />
• My first monitor is now in the ‘antique’ display cabinet at ADC
Primary School: Rejection from others<br />
• A great lack <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing among children, other parents<br />
<strong>and</strong> teachers<br />
• First ever school camp – <strong>my</strong> mother was asked to come <strong>with</strong> me<br />
• As a result <strong>of</strong> the lack <strong>of</strong> awareness, I moved schools at the end <strong>of</strong> Year 3 to<br />
be <strong>with</strong> <strong>my</strong> older brother <strong>and</strong> a much more diabetes-aware school
High School: My own rejection<br />
• During <strong>my</strong> early high school years, I rejected the care required for <strong>my</strong><br />
diabetes<br />
• I wanted to be like <strong>my</strong> friends <strong>and</strong> eat whatever I wanted, when I wanted
Sailing: embracing diabetes<br />
• In 2002, I won <strong>my</strong> first national championship, completely changing <strong>my</strong> <strong>life</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>my</strong> <strong>life</strong> <strong>with</strong> diabetes<br />
• Immediately recruited onto the <strong>Australian</strong> Sailing Team to train for the<br />
Beijing Olympics <strong>and</strong> beyond<br />
• <strong>Diabetes</strong> control became one <strong>of</strong> the most important cornerstones <strong>of</strong> <strong>my</strong><br />
training
Sailing: another new <strong>life</strong><br />
My typical day<br />
• 7am: Wake up, check blood sugars <strong>and</strong> eat (upwards <strong>of</strong> 70g <strong>of</strong> carbohydrate)<br />
• 8am: Gym session for 1.5 hours: weights <strong>and</strong> cardio<br />
• 11am: Training for 2 hours<br />
• 1pm: Lunch, lighter meal <strong>with</strong> easy carbs<br />
• 2pm: Training for 2 hours<br />
• 5pm: Recovery, large meal<br />
• 7pm: Home fitness, stretching <strong>and</strong> study<br />
• 10pm: Bed
Sailing: another new <strong>life</strong><br />
• In 2004, first overseas trip for sailing, travelling Europe for 5 months<br />
• Gained 18 kilograms in 9 months<br />
• Preparation – spares, briefings, emergency kit<br />
• <strong>The</strong> only days we did not sail were travel days!<br />
• My Coach was very underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> gave me the freedom to manage while<br />
being able to monitor how I was<br />
• My crew, Michael, was always able to tell <strong>my</strong> blood sugars from <strong>my</strong> mood
<strong>Diabetes</strong> Advocacy: a new world<br />
• Appointed Youth Ambassador for the International <strong>Diabetes</strong> Federation in<br />
2006<br />
• Opened <strong>my</strong> eyes <strong>and</strong> the door to the diabetes ‘world’<br />
• I began to underst<strong>and</strong> I belonged to a very special community – one that<br />
understood me<br />
• I took pride in the fact I was a <strong>type</strong> 1!
Today<br />
• A full-time job – quite different to what I’ve experienced<br />
• Weight after sailing – managing weight loss <strong>and</strong> the effect on <strong>my</strong> diabetes<br />
• Management – testing, insulin regime, diet<br />
• How has the world progressed <strong>with</strong> me
Change language