Story
Matched funding of £500 received from my Employer. Thank you EY
Welcome to my Swim22 profile page for Diabetes UK. As many as 5 million people are living with diabetes in the UK right now.
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 10 years ago, my GP told me I had to change my lifestyle. I did and started dieting and walking 3-4 miles every day for approx. 3 years. Unfortunately, I was then told I needed bi-lateral hip surgery due to osteoarthritis, the long-distance walking slowed down, but I still managed to keep my sugar levels under control.
As most of you know, I recently had a total hip replacement. Whilst recuperating, I saw an advert for a swimming challenge in aid of Diabetes UK. I thought long and hard, should I/shouldn’t I? Would I be strong enough to even start training to be ready by March? Knowing 44 miles would be far too much so soon after major surgery and 11 miles not quiet far enough, I signed up for 22 miles. This is equivalent to swimming the English Channel – Dover to Calais.
6 weeks post-surgery I was back in the pool swimming and doing something that I have grown to love over the past few years, not only for my physical health but to help with my recovery. It has also been amazing for my mental health and wellbeing too.
From 22 March to 22 June 2024 my aim is to swim 32 lengths 4 times a week for 12 weeks to ensure I reach my 22-mile target