THE figures alone tell a damning story: close to two million Australians carry the disease – half of them unaware of it; an extra 300 of us will develop it each day and its impact costs the nation more than $10 billion each year.
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But behind the alarming diabetes statistics are thousands of equally as compelling personal stories.
Stories like that of Tamworth mum Kristy Fisher, who has had to battle her toddler son William’s shock diagnosis and confront the stigma and innuendo associated with it.
The news William is carrying type one diabetes has been greeted by breathtaking ignorance – “he’s had too much sugar”, “he needs to exercise more”, “you should have breastfed him for longer”.
That such a sweeping health crisis could still be shrouded in so much misinformation should be a concern for us all.
Because diabetes is an affliction of modern life, its creeping grasp is likely to touch you or someone you love.
In a community like Tamworth, where fast food franchises and liquor chains are ubiquitous and obesity rates soar above the state average, thousands of locals are at grave risk of developing type two diabetes.
Often caused by a poor diet or lack of exercise, the real tragedy of type two diabetes isn’t its prevalence but the fact we aren’t doing more to arrest the rising tide.
Next month’s Walk to Cure Diabetes is a step in the right direction.
The event, to be held at Bicentennial Park on October 19, won’t just raise money for diabetes research but raise critical awareness about this silent pandemic.
There are two million Australians with pre-diabetes, effectively walking around with a time bomb strapped to their midriffs.
A simple doctor’s visit and small changes to lifestyle could prevent the bomb from detonating.
If you’re at risk of type two diabetes, what’s stopping you from helping yourself and those you love?
