Introduction

 

hi my name is kai watts
I take part in many sports like:
running
swimming 
but especially Cycling!

About Type 1 and Me:

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in June 2011 when I was 8 years old, I am now 15.  Type 1 Diabetes is where the pancreas stops making insulin.  Insulin is the key to unlocking glucose in the bloodstream to make energy.  Everyone with Type 1 Diabetes needs to take insulin either by injection pens or by pump.

I use an insulin pump Medtronic 640g – insulin is delivered via a cannula 24 hours a day for basal insulin and for bolus (meals) I take my blood glucose, count the carbs and the pump then delivers the amount of insulin according to the time of day, my blood glucose reading and the amount of carbs I am going to eat.

Now this is on a normal day – when I am cycling, racing and training I need to take all these factors into account to prevent hypos (below 4mmol).  The ideal range for a Type 1 is between 4mmol – 10 mmol.  Lots of information – yes – and all of which need to be followed for every meal, prior to any exercise and after exercise and 24 hours a day.  From the first weekend after I was diagnosed I continued to cycle and take part in sports.  

I joined cycling club Hackney when i was about 7 and i began to race when i was 9 when i first joined i never knew how to corner or have any techniques on the bike and each Saturday when i went to the club I gained these skills and i learnt alot!

on Saturday 24th February. i was awarded with Gold Award for the British Cycling Young volunteer scheme at Go -Ride Conference IWM Duxford. this i felt was my way for giving back to the club for everything I leant and and still learning