UNDAUNTED BY DIABETES
Ray Smith is a local face of diabetes, a Type 2 diabetic who lost his leg to the disease earlier this year.
Has it stopped him?
No way.
Ray says he’s not only going to live a normal life and go back to work driving trucks while playing cricket on the weekend, he’s also urging Dubbo residents to get their blood sugar levels checked during National Diabetes Week.
Did you know diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults, the leading cause of kidney failure, the leading cause of preventable limb amputations, and increases a person’s risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times?
If not, read on.
Diabetes Australia says it’s about time you made ‘me time’, took time out and put you first. There is no time to lose. The earlier type 2 diabetes is detected, the more lives will be saved.
The organisation says too many Australians put themselves at the bottom of their ‘to do list’ which puts their health at risk, and this could include being diagnosed with diabetes too late.
This is true for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Not making time for yourself, or time to learn the early warning signs, can put you at risk of major life-threatening health problems. Both types of diabetes are more common than you think.
Many Australians will live with type 2 diabetes for up to seven years before being diagnosed. More than
RAY Smith lives with diabetes.
He’s a Type 2 diabetic and his partner Sonya is Type 1.
“Diabetes is a big part of our lives,” Ray told Dubbo Photo News, “and being diabetic is a big part of my life, more now than ever, after losing my leg at the beginning of the year – but you do adjust to a disability.
“Getting yourself checked early is a must and get educated about your disease,” he urged.
Ray says National Diabetes Week, which runs from July 12 to July 18, is important to highlight and generate mainstream awareness about the mental and emotional health impact of living with diabetes.
“Please people, get your sugar levels checked but don’t think having diabetes is a downer, just learn to live with it. You can still have a long and happy life – even with one leg like me,” he said.
“Be positive and you can do whatever you like.”
Ray said his life is getting back on track after the operation,
500,000 Australians are living with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
If not diagnosed in time, it can cause blindness, kidney damage, amputation and heart attack.
Although you can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, your risk increases if you are over 40, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Australia says it’s about time you took the time to get checked. A type 2 diabetes risk check only takes a minute and the earlier people are diagnosed, the more time they have to live well and reduce their risk of complications.
Every year 640 children and adults getting his prosthetic leg and taking care of his sugar levels. His diet is very important when it comes to keeping him up and about.
“Getting my driver’s license back and going back to driving a truck is still one of my goals,” he said.
The ever-optimistic Dubbo truckie has found an incredible silver lining in the dark cloud of losing his leg.
His 26-year-old son Matthew, who’s never been a cricketer, has been so inspired by his dad he’s signing up to play in the same team, and Ray said playing cricket with his son is a dream come true.
“Playing cricket again is another goal for me plus having a season with my son who thinks it’s great that I’m up and about and want to play again.
“Going back to work is the biggest goal of all so I can give my family a decent life money-wise.
“Having positive people around you makes a difference in controlling your sugar levels, like I had with my family and great mates,” he said.
are admitted to hospital because the early signs of type 1 diabetes are missed.
If not diagnosed in time, type 1 diabetes can be fatal.
The 4 Ts – the early warning signs of type 1 diabetes – take just a minute to learn. If you see the signs, don’t waste time and see you doctor immediately, because if not diagnosed in time it can be fatal.
z Toilet – going to the toilet a lot
z Tired – unexplained or excessive fatigue
z Thirsty – a thirst that can’t be quenched
z Thinner – sudden or unexplained weight loss