All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes spokesperson
On 25 March, Diabetes Voice Roy Johnson spoke to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes (APPGD) about his personal experience of amputation.
Why did you decide to join Diabetes Voices?
It seemed like an effective way to get my voice heard about things that affect a lot of people.
How did you get involved with speaking at the APPGD meeting?
Once I became a Diabetes Voice, I started to receive information about opportunities to get involved. As I’ve had problems with my feet, I applied to get involved.
What did you do at the event?
I prepared a seven-minute presentation about what foot care I’d received and what impact having amputations has had on my life.
How did it go?
Apart from leaving my glasses in the car, it went very well! I got positive feedback that by taking part I helped the attending MPs and peers to understand amputation from a patient's point of view.
Why do you think people living with diabetes should be involved in APPGD meetings?
Collective voices are louder than a single voice.
What will you be doing to support Diabetes UK’s foot campaign this year?
The Guildford and South West Surrey group have invited Professor Mike Edmunds of King’s College to speak at our meeting on 15 October about foot care and raise awareness of the campaign and what people with diabetes need to do to look after their feet. We’ll also be using the Diabetes Voices Foot Campaign Toolkit to take action.
What advice would you give to other people who want to get involved?
DO IT! You can never have too many people banging the drum about diabetes and the impact that complications can have on quality of life if people just ignore it.
