Three of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s patients are reaping the benefits of attending a national conference about exercising with type 1 diabetes.
The Trust funded three places at the Exercising for Type 1 Diabetes (EXTOD) event held in Glasgow. The training event was developed after it was discovered that patients with type 1 diabetes had difficulties managing their glucose levels when exercising. Workshops focussing on coping mechanisms gave patients the information they so desperately wanted.
Experts in the field of diabetes and exercise used interactive tools, clinical cases, shared learning and activities to empower patients to manage their exercise choices confidently and safely. Topics covered included the effects of different types of exercise on blood glucose levels, the rule of threes for managing glucose around nutrition and exercise and strategies to plan for exercise.
Calvin Ferguson (29) from Blackburn has always been involved in sports, with his particular passions being fell running and the gym. And so it was a bit of a shock to Calvin to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in April 2017.
Calvin said: “I didn’t really know what to expect from the EXTOD conference. However, to meet like-minded people with the same condition was amazing. Being able to share the experiences of the different things we have all tried and tested was so helpful.”
“One thing that resonated with me at the event was that we tend to set self-imposed limitations. What I took away was the courage to test those limits by trying different ways of managing the change in my blood sugar levels when I exercise. I am extremely competitive so this new found confidence to try different ways of improving my performance is going to have such a positive impact on my life.”
Victoria England is a teacher from Darwen, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 3.
Victoria said: “Diabetes can be very isolating. It can be difficult for someone without the condition to understand what it is like. It’s hard when your blood sugars are too high or too low, not to mention the worry about the additional health issues that diabetes can cause.”
“I found the EXTOD session life altering. I only wish that something like this had been available 20 years ago as it could have made such a difference to my life earlier on. There is no prescribed way to manage the condition whilst exercising. But these sessions give starting blocks that can be tweaked to suit your own personal needs.
“It has given me so much more confidence in managing the condition, both when exercising and not. With type1diabetes, the smallest things such as a common cold or minor virus can throw your blood sugars into chaos and have a massive impact. Using what I have taken from the event has made me feel so much better in myself.”
Donna Evenson (57) lives in Langho near Whalley and is 57 years old. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over 30 years ago.
Donna said: “When it comes to exercise, it is too easy to make excuses when there really is no need. There is a great deal of worry about doing the right thing but you never know until you try. Sometimes you just have to give it a go!
“Cycling is my main passion along with running. A series of personal family bereavements and illnesses have inspired me to run a marathon at some point in the future. Attending the EXTOD conference has certainly reignited a fire in my belly.
“Exercise reduces other complications associated with type 1 diabetes as well as the huge benefits to overall mental wellbeing. The conference showed me that small changes can make a big difference. For example, I used to have porridge before a race but found I tired easily. Swapping my food choice and having a peanut butter sandwich instead has helped me to now comfortably run 10k.”
Calvin Ferguson
Victoria England
Donna Evenson