Diabetic And Lovin IT / News Articles / The Evening Chronicle, Mon, Sept 19, 2005

The Evening Chronicle Monday, Sept 19, 2005 Don't give up on dreams

Gary Blakie is proof that diabetes should not hold you back in life. The Sunderland-born triathlete will represent the UK in Hawaii in October at the Age Group Championships. After competing in the National Standard Distance Triathlon in Ashford, Kent, Gary, 21, qualified for the Hawaii championships, alongside dad Eric, who went through in his own age group.

It was a double celebration as it was the day Gary turned 21. His whole family will travel out to watch him and his father in action.

He said "I am chuffed to bits that I will be representing my country. It will be like a family holiday, as everyone is going."

Gary owes a lot to his parents. His mother, Dorothy, a former nurse, realized he was diabetic eight years ago. Most people find out they have got diabetes from their GP or hospital. But Gary said "We were on holiday in Colorado. I spent a night in a hospital where they tested my blood sugar level. It was extremely high."

Before being diagnosed, Gary had spent three weeks feeling thirsty and tired. He quickly returned to normal. "After I was released from hospital and started injecting insulin, I was back to normal."

Gary admits that had he not been diagnosed with diabetes, he would have not taken up athletics. He says that before being diagnosed he was an average child who enjoyed eating sweets. "At lunchtime I would sometimes buy half a pound of midget gems. But, strangely enough, unlike other children, I did enjoy eating my salad. But once I was diagnosed as being diabetic I cut out sweets."

He started running at the age of 13. "I followed my dad on a three-mile run and by the end of the street I was tired. So I trained harder and eventually joined Ryton Triathlon club at the age of 16.

Gary says one problem he faces when he is competing is regulating his blood sugar level.

"I have to balance it just right. At the end of the day it's a life and death situation. I can't test my sugar level when I'm running because it would be included in my qualifying time."

"So I had to develop a way to get the insulin I need to maintain my sugar levels without the need to test my blood sugar. I have got into the habit of injecting enough insulin to last me while I'm running using a new insulin that doesn't have dangerous peak periods."

After being diagnosed his friends didn't believe he was diabetic. "They took a bit of convincing. But when I got my glucose meter out they didn't know what to say."

But Gary is adamant that diabetes should not hold you back: "It's not the end of the world. I feel proud to be able to represent myself in the way that I do, being a diabetic athlete. I've come from nothing, and worked my way up to where I am today."

Gary also recommended Diabetes UK, a charity for which he has done a lot of work. "They can offer plenty of help," he says.