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Joanne takes on One Million Steps challenge

A mum from Barry is taking on the One Million Step Challenge after her son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

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The One Million Step Challenge takes place between 1 July and 30 September, and invites people to push themselves out of their comfort zone by taking one million steps over three months and getting sponsored for every stride.

Joanne Simpson, 43, is taking part because her son Liam, 17, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 12.

By the time he was diagnosed, Liam was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention. Doctors were initially worried he may not survive the night, and Liam spent two days recovering in the high dependency unit at hospital.

It will take Joanne at least 10,000 steps a day to reach her total but she is well on her way to the magic one million.

Joanne said: “Liam was seriously ill when he was diagnosed. He had just come back from holiday and fell into a coma. We rushed him straight to hospital where doctors told me he had Type 1 diabetes and that he may not survive the night.

“It was an incredibly scary time for our family, but after two days he regained consciousness. Luckily, there was no damage to his internal organs.

Liam faces challenges with diabetes every day

“Liam manages his diabetes really well and is in good health. But it could so easily have gone the other way. My son has to face challenges every day with diabetes, so me facing this challenge is nothing in comparison.

“Some days are harder than others but I am making time to ensure that I hit a minimum of 10,000 steps per day. I work in an office so sometimes I have to put extra effort in to make sure that I do achieve them. My challenge is until September – his is for life.”

go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jo-simpson12.

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