Southbourne
man Lee Nevitt, 35, who has Type 1 diabetes and nerve damage
complications, has challenged himself to ride 20km from Hengistbury
Head to Sandbanks in his wheelchair on Saturday 19 June to raise
awareness of diabetes and help kick start a desperately-needed local
support group for others with the condition.
Lee
was diagnosed with a rare form of Type 1 diabetes in May 2007 that
developed over a period of four years. Lee resisted going to the
doctors during this time out of embarrassment and a denial to accept
he was unwell.
Type
1 diabetes is a life-long autoimmune condition which is treated with
daily insulin injections, diet and physical activity. Unlike Type 2
diabetes, it is not linked to an unhealthy lifestyle or obesity. As a
result of his diabetes being left undiagnosed for so long, Lee
developed severe neuropathy – a painful complication of diabetes
that affects the nerves and prevents Lee from walking long distances.
Since
being diagnosed Lee has been unable to work and his life has changed
completely. He has, however, fought to remain positive and now works
proactively alongside Diabetes UK in raising awareness of diabetes.
Lee’s
ride coincides with Diabetes UK’s Diabetes Week (13 to 19 June
2010) and he hopes to raise £1,000 for the charity as well as raise
awareness of diabetes and its complications.
“I’m
hoping the event will attract a lot of support; I’ve written to all
of the local schools asking them to get involved and I’m also
holding a coffee morning to discuss how we can start up a support
group for others living with the condition in the area,” said Lee.
“I
have called my Diabetes
Challenge
‘Don’t suffer in silence’ as I want to highlight the
complications of diabetes which are often not obvious for people to
see, but they are a reality and people need to be more aware of them.
“I
gave the Challenge this name as I want to say to young people who
live with diabetes not to hide away but talk about their condition. I
want them to know that there are other people like them, people they
can talk to and share experiences with.
“My
overall message to young people who think they may be ill is ‘Don’t
be embarrassed, go to the doctor.’ It is so much better to be
checked out than leave it to get worse,” said Lee.
“My
long term goal is to create and maintain a Diabetes UK Support group
for people with diabetes in the Bournemouth area so they can come
together and support one another”, he said.
Zoë
Steer, of Diabetes UK in the South West said, “We are so grateful
to Lee for all his hard word and support for Diabetes UK. He is an
inspiration to others who live with diabetes. We hope the local
people will join together with Lee and support him with his challenge
to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.
“Diabetes
Challenge
is a cutting edge website that brings Diabetes UK supporters together
in a new way. It allows groups of people to take on new and exciting
challenges, and to track each other’s progress using social
networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Challenge yourself or
someone you know at www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk
”
Sponsor
Lee at
www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/challenge/leenevitt-dontsufferinsilence
Diabetes
is a serious condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney
disease, blindness and amputation. There are 212, 940 people with
diabetes in the South East and up to 60, 000 who have the condition
but are not aware of it. For more information about diabetes and
Diabetes UK go to www.diabetes.org.uk/
.
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