The DiAthlete

A few weeks ago I attended a Diabetes Day for Type Ones at Addenbrookes Hospital. I had the pleasure of hearing Gavin Griffiths AKA The DiAthlete tell his story. Now even though Gavin is a Mile-A-Minute and I am a Mile-A-Month he still reminded me if I want to run a marathon, I can. I just don’t want to. But seriously he is doing amazing things and is a true inspiration.

Gavin was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes when he was 9 years old. He was passionate about sports and football. His one concern when he was diagnosed was if he could still play football and take part in sports. He had a lot of people telling him he might not be safe for him to play as it would be hard to control his blood sugars. He went on to play football semi-professionally. Gavin learned how to play the game he loved without putting his health at risk, he has learnt how to cope under extreme physical exertion and he knows his diabetes better than any doctor ever could, it’s his condition and he doesn’t let it put conditions on him.

When his local surgery needed to raise funds, Gavin stepped up. He challenged himself to running a well-known coastal walk in his home county and although he found he hit a few bumps in the road he gained a huge sense of achievement and raised a lot of money for the surgery. This was the start of something pretty amazing. He decided that by running he could raise awareness and much needed funds for Diabetes and so he went on to do just that. He has completed some of the most gruelling challenges known to man including John O Groats to Lands’ End and The Manhattan Marathons Challenge. He has run all over the world. Everything he does is to help and improve the lives of diabetics all over the globe. He raises awareness and funds for Diabetes UK and JDRF as well Marjorie’s Fund which supports diabetics in under developed countries. He inspires people to do things that they might be afraid of. He shows us that nothing can stop you from achieving a dream and living your life, not even diabetes.

He has been told that he can’t do things because of his condition, but in fact it’s his condition that has made him do those things. In his own words “If I wasn’t diagnosed with type one diabetes in my life, I wouldn’t have lived my life at all”

If you want to find out more about Gavin Griffiths AKA The DiAthlete CLICK HERE