Diabetes is more than just a word

Brian Kairau thought diabetes was just a word when he was first diagnosed.

But the disease has now claimed his left leg and half of his right foot. He’s also losing his sight and his kidneys are failing.

The 52-year-old is sharing his story in the TV series The Disease That’s Killing My Family.

Kairau was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 16 years ago but did not stick with his insulin and medication. That lead to nerve damage, numbness and weakness.

‘‘I was stepping on things and not realising I was cutting my feet and they were becoming infected,’’ he says.

He developed an ulcer on his right heel.

‘‘Due to infection, I had three hypoglycemic attacks in 24 hours and ended up in Middlemore Hospital. I have now been in here [hospital] seven months.’’

‘‘It’s slowly breaking my spirit but I am trying to not let it get that far. It’s difficult.’’

Brian Kairau

The infection spread throughout Kairau’s right foot and doctors had to amputate half of it.

‘‘The next thing I know my left foot had it and then they had to amputate the little toe. Then about a month later, they amputated my leg just below the knee.’’

Kairau is now facing the possibility of losing his whole leg. He is also on hemodialysis for his failing kidneys.

He wants people to know that diabetes is a longterm illness that doesn’t respect age or race.

‘‘It’s slowly breaking my spirit but I am trying to not let it get that far. It’s difficult,’’ he says.

‘‘Everything that has come my way is unfortunately a consequence of my very poor choices.’’

When he was diagnosed, there wasn’t much available to tell him how serious it was, he says.

‘‘This is diabetes, this is what happens, if you don’t look after yourself and control your diabetes, this is the reality of it all.’’

He’s hoping his story is going to help someone in New Zealand to make the right choices.

‘‘I want to try and get that message out there, have a part in helping New Zealand make better choices, kick diabetes in the butt with my amputated stump.’’