Tony Kelly resident Diabetes expert
London born but raised in Jamaica before returning 1979 to live in Birmingham, I witnessed first-hand as a child, relatives with strokes, blindness, heart attacks, kidney failure, lower limb amputations as well as early/premature deaths who constantly referred to the medical condition diabetes as ‘a touch of sugar’. I am well aware of the suffering that they experienced. Back then growing up in the sixties no one ever called it by the proper name diabetes so I always associated it with sugar.
Now in my sixties, but 18 years ago I developed the classic diabetes symptoms of tired, toilet, thirsty and thinner known as the 4 ‘T’s. Initially being in denial I finally plucked up courage and visited my doctor who confirmed that the early morning urine sample before eating anything that I provided and a blood sample sent to the lab, meant a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, in my case hereditary. I had flashbacks of what I saw amongst relatives of mine in rural Jamaica which were immense pain, trauma and discomfort from this medical condition.
I consciously made the lifestyle/behavioural changes after those childhood memories came to the fore and with the right mindset and disciplined approach have never taken any medication for my type two diabetes. With the family I eat healthy well-balanced meals along with physical activity such as aqua-fit, Pilates, yoga, badminton, zumba and now learning to swim. Never been an advocate for popping pills and much prefer the social prescribing approach which my doctor and diabetic nurse have always encouraged me to pursue. Simply put it is about movement of the body and keeping oneself as active as possible instead of leading a sedentary (couch potato) existence.
With such success, for nearly a decade I have been a diabetes ambassador/advocate delivering diabetes awareness presentations locally, nationally and internationally with approved National Health Service slides showing the patient perspective. Nothing in my view beats the real life/lived experience of someone who has ‘been there, done it and worn the ‘T’ shirt’ so to speak as it resonates better in communities whether they are White working class, Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian.
If one looks on the internet the term ‘hard to reach’ is found on several pages and mainly refers to the aforementioned ethnic groups. I always encourage everyone not to use such a patronizing term since no one is on a celestial body, in the forest/jungle or on Mount Everest as then they would indeed be ‘hard to reach’. Words mean a lot and if we all get in to the habit of saying instead, marginalized, historically neglected/ignored or underserved that would be a far better way to change the narrative and bring about effective community engagement with the health and well-being message. Contact details: [email protected]
London born Tony Kelly of Jamaican parents grew up in Jamaica and returned to live in Birmingham in 1979.
He is a graduate of Mico Teachers’ College and taught in Kingston high schools prior to working for 30+ years as a middle manager in central and local government with an emphasis on equity, equality, diversity and inclusion. He has a masters’ degree in socio-legal studies from the university of Birmingham.
For over a decade Tony has volunteered as a diabetes ambassador firstly for Diabetes UK and now for the National Health Service - Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. A multi-award winner doing a yearly average of 150 health and well-being events, locally, nationally and internationally focusing on type 2 diabetes. He was diagnosed with this medical condition 18 years ago. However with a combination of physical activity and diet he has never taken medication thus proving with the right mindset and discipline it can be achieved.
As a diabetes advocate/activist Tony will continue delivering the message of healthy options to readers of CaribDirect.com .
