Kidney failure, vision loss, amputation... we just refused to lose Geoff piece by piece to this disease

AS WITH our family, you may have a loved one who has reached crisis point, but feel you can’t intervene. Ask yourself – if you do nothing will you end up racked by regret? As a family we weren’t prepared to lose Geoff to this awful disease, one piece at a time. Diabetes is often linked to obesity and complications can include vision loss, kidney failure, circulation problems and lowerlimb amputation.

Among the 2.7million Britons with type 2 are scores of stubborn mums, dads and loved ones who need help. Geoff was one of the stubborn ones, but Anthony and Ian argued that his health was their business because they would eventually have to look after him.

Anthony and Ian set about finding a motivation to spur him into action. For Geoff it was the love for the people he would be leaving behind if he carried on in the same downward spiral.

The key is to empower your loved one to come out fighting.

Have a conversation and maybe film or record it, as we did, or take notes. Ask questions.

What does it feel like to live with diabetes? Are there any activities or hobbies they once enjoyed but have had to give up? How would it feel to have more energy and glow with health?

You may come up against a wall of negativity. It can be frustrating, but kindness and understanding can help build a foundation of trust and start making changes.

Record progress and offer encouragement and support if your loved one slips up. Keep a food and activity diary and keep track of waist circumference.

If that measurement is continuing to get smaller your loved one will certainly be losing weight, regardless of any fluctuations on the scales.