About Me
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 20 years ago, in my case hereditary but NEVER taken medication. Managed by physical activity and a healthy well-balanced diet. As a Diabetes Ambassador/Activist I travel the world doing diabetes awareness presentations and on average deliver 140 in Britain especially to African- Caribbean, South Asian and White working class communities. Some are done via webinars. Multi-award winner with a passion and focus on marginalised, under-represented, underserved, historically excluded/neglected/ignored communities.
Diagnosis
However after being repeatedly told by her to go to our family doctor whose surgery is less than half a mile from our home, having not been there in several years as I prided myself on being fit and healthy, I went with an early morning sample of my urine. It was tested by my GP who later confirmed that I had Type 2 diabetes.
It wasn’t a surprise as diabetes runs in my family. Although I was born in England, I grew up in Jamaica and as a little boy had an enquiring mind. I used to regularly ask what was the matter with relatives who were either blind, had amputations, strokes, heart attacks or kidney dialysis and the standard reply was that the person 'has a touch of ‘sugar’. They never used to refer to it as diabetes – that was their way to minimise and trivialise the condition.
Back in Jamaica I had no problem motivating myself to exercise as I loved sports and the weather was always hot. However when I returned to live in England in 1979 the land of my birth I could not stand the cold and damp weather and still do not like it. This meant that I preferred to stay indoors in the warmth instead of being my usual active self. That couch potato or sedentary lifestyle meant that I piled on the pounds and also in all honesty ate far more than I needed to especially since I have a sweet tooth.
Prevention better than cure
My biggest surprise is when I come across people who tell me they have been told by their doctor that they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes and when I ask what they are doing to avoid getting the medical condition, nine out of ten reply 'Nothing'. To be told such news and not do something positive to prevent the medical condition coming their way is truly shocking.
I firmly believe in the proverbial saying 'prevention is better than cure' and my task or drive is to motivate people to change their lifestyle and feel better in the short and long run. I practice what I preach as the saying goes. It’s is good to hear black people say how much they can relate to me with a similar cultural heritage and cultural background. It makes them feel that they are hearing it from someone who has empathy for their experiences and is not alienating, belittling, patronizing or marginalizing what they are having to deal with.
The mere fact that I am standing before a group of people gives me a buzz of excitement and seeing their faces as they take in what I am partaking to them fills me with confidence. At the start of all the training events I deliver, I use a disclaimer which states that I am not medically qualified as some people have in the past especially when they arrive late think that I am a healthcare professional!"
