‘Can-do’ approach to diabetes

He recently travelled to Morocco, could turn into a footy star and dreams of leading Australia.
So learning that Point Lonsdale teen Fraser Richards also has type one diabetes could come as a surprise.
The incurable, unpreventable illness presents few obstacles as the 17-year-old pursues his goals.
“Occasionally (it) stops me for about five minutes because I happen to have a hypo (low blood glucose event) and have to sit down and devour some jelly beans,” Fraser said.
“But it really doesn’t limit anything that I have and wanted to do – I travelled to Morocco in December, I play sport and I’m happy.
“I’ve got some pretty big dreams, such as being in the AFL or becoming the Prime Minister because it’s always good to dream.
Fraser, a St Ignatius Year 12 college student and talented footballer for Queenscliff, was among young people with type one diabetes at an event in Geelong last week to provide them with inspiration to overcome their illness.
Barwon Health’s annual Dream, Achieve, Succeed featured speakers such as Cats players and medical professionals.
Barwon Health’s Paediatric Diabetes Services has hosted the event over the past five years with the aim of helping young type one sufferers to achieve their dreams.
Fraser’s advice was to personally manage diabetes as well as possible.
“Everyone is different and by controlling your own diabetes is doesn’t become a problem in the present and later in life,” he said.
“It’s always going to be a bit of a hassle, and I’ll admit to that, but if you manage it properly and do as much as you can right then type one is never going to stop you from doing anything that you want to do.”
People like Fraser sharing their stories went a long way to helping others in the same situation, Barwon Health paediatrician Dr Chris Cooper said.
“Our event allows young people who live with type one diabetes to come together socially and involve their families in an evening that both informs and inspires them to continue with a can-do attitude, not only with regards to their type-one management but also with regards to other aspects of their lives.”
Geelong has been identified as a hotspot for types one and two diabetes.
In 2011, Diabetes Australia reported 11,000 cases of either type in the region.