Live life to the full, says touring diabetic

Press, 30 July 1986, Page 50

Live life to the full, says touring diabetic

Wellington PA English diabetic Ms Karen Graham, has to inject insulin three times a day, carry sugar, and carefully watch her diet —> but it has not stopped her exploring the world. Ms Graham, aged 22, was in Wellington after a three-month visit to Chile where she lived on Army dry rations and had to cope with her insulin freezing in the Andes. Her message to people with diabetes is “live life to the full”.

She said too many people did not understand diabetes, wrongly believing sufferers are unhealthy and have to lead a sheltered life.

“I’m trying to show other diabetics that life doesn’t end with injections and diet,” she said. In Britain she works helping other young diabetics, and in her spare time dances, and runs half marathons. She recently was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Her trip to Chile was

with Operation Raleigh, a four-year world expedition for young people which involves community and scientific research work, and adventure training. “It’S not easy travelling around,” she said, “but I try not to let it (diabetes) affect my life.”

She said that as well as having to be constantly aware of the risk of becoming hypoglycemic (lacking in sugar which leads to brain damage), she also has to accept the long-term health implications which include circulatory problems, amputations and renal failure.

“There’s no way of guaranteeing you aren’t going to get complications ... you can only forget that it might happen and live life to the full. You have to try and forget, but you are always aware of

She is in New Zealand for a month to speak to diabetes groups.

The New Zealand Diabetes Association’s executive manager, Mr John

Rutherford, said there were between 60,000 and 70,000 diabetics in New Zealand. Between 12,000 and 15,000 are insulin dependent

It was sometimes called the invisible disability, and overseas research indicated that for as many people who were aware they are diabetics there were just as many who did not know the real reason behind their health problems, he said.

New Zealand also has a high rate of diabetes, with 12 to 15 per cent of the Maori and Polynesian population estimated to be sufferers, and 3 to 4 per cent of the pakeha population. It is increasing. Mr Rutherford said the reason for the high rate was linked with the New Zealand diet and lack of physical activity.

All diabetics hope for a cure, Ms Graham said.

“I don’t know if it will happen in my lifetime, but I hope it will for my children,” she said.