Diabetic And Lovin IT / News Articles / The Journal, Sat, June 25, 2005

The Journal Newspaper

Saturday, June 25, 2005

By Julia Kennard

Diabetic puts his fitness to the test

Student tackles triathlon to raise profile of disease

SUPER-FIT student Gary Blakie is preparing to relegate his diabetes to the side-line when he competes in a triathlon this weekend to raise awareness of the disease.

Gary, 20 of, Weardale Avenue, Sunderland, was diagnosed with the condition when he was 12-years-old.

But he refuses to let the daily routine of checking his blood sugar levels dictate his life and has gone on to become a keen athlete.

In the past Gary would not be able to enter a race with the prospect of winning, because the frequent stops to check his sugar levels would slow him down.

But Gary, who has just graduated from Northumbria University, has every intention of being first one day.

And the next test is the Prince Bishops Triathlon this Sunday, where he will compete a 1,500m swim in Derwent Reservoir, a 25-mile bike ride as well as a six-mile run.

He said: "In the past I've had to stop to check my levels so I don't get ill, but I just saw that as an incentive to improve and learn to control it."

"I may not be able to win this competition, but if I keep on improving I know one day I'll have my chance."

"I'll never let diabetes get in my way."

His experiences are now so well known among the medical profession that he is often invited to talk to doctors, specialist nurses and parents of diabetic children about them.

The former Monkwearmouth School pupil has run the Great North Run five times.

He is supported by his mother Dorothy, 52, a former mid-wife, and father Eric, 52, a retired businessman.

Last weekend he an his father competed a 135-mile bike race in France together.

Gary, who has an older brother, Alan, 22, and sister, Wendy, 23, said "I'm so lucky, because I have such a supportive family to spur me on."

"Even if I don't win this weekend, I'll focus on improving, so one day it will become a reality."

"After this I'll be going down to the national championships in Ashford on July 17, which is slap bang on my 21st birthday, so perhaps I will have some birthday luck down there."