A teaching assistant from Bolton is set to tackle the Great Manchester Run for Diabetes UK, in order to challenge the misconceptions faced by people living with diabetes.
Helen Waring, 27, is taking on the challenge to raise awareness of diabetes after her younger sister Marie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes six years ago.
Helen, a teaching assistant at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Radcliffe said: “I’m very protective of Marie, and have witnessed some of the prejudice she has faced as a result of her condition. This has inspired me to raise awareness and challenge some of the myths associated with diabetes.”
When Marie was diagnosed at 18 years old, she had lost a lot of weight and had been unwell. Helen says that they had initially put it down to the stress of starting university.
“We thought Marie had ‘fresher’s flu’ and her weight loss was related to that. It was only after she had told mum that she had woken up in the night and drank six cans of Lilt that we realised something was wrong.
“Since Marie was diagnosed she has had some bad experiences and has often felt judged because of her condition. Diabetes is serious and not enough people are aware of what it means for people who live with it every day.”
Helen has been training hard for the run and in the lead up to what will be her first 10K she’ll also be holding a summer fair at her house.
To sponsor Helen visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-waring1990
