A CHANCE meeting with former Richmond player Dale Weightman has Werribee youngster Sean Curry determined not to let diabetes get in the way of his dreams.
The 10-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged two and knows he must eat well and look after himself if he wants to stay healthy and become a police officer one day.
During a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital for a check-up, Sean met Weightman, who played more than 250 games despite having diabetes.
Weightman was working with the hospital to promote Mind Over Matter Month, which aims to
raise funds and help young people living with type 1 diabetes to overcome challenges.
Sean said he was inspired by Weightman’s story.
“He showed us videos of himself playing and told us we can do anything we want,” he said.
“He told us not to let the diabetes control us.”
Sean’s mother Nicole said it was a shock when her son was first diagnosed given there was no family history of diabetes and he was a fit and healthy toddler.
She soon learnt though that type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas stops making insulin, was not triggered by lifestyle, unlike type 2 of the disease.
Mrs Curry said Sean managed his diabetes well because didn’t know any different.
“He has had [diabetes] since he was two, so he doesn’t know any other way. Every day we plan what Sean is going to eat,” she said.
“He has four [insulin] injections a day, three of which he does himself. He is just so used to it.”
