A BROMSGROVE man whose diabetes has left him struggling to see is encouraging people to donate to a charity campaign.
Richard Norgrove, who was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes aged nine after suffering with a common cold, is urging people to donate to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity’s diabetes fund.
His pleas coincided with Diabetes Week earlier this month.
The now 44-year-old had tried to fight off the cold but a genetic error caused his body to attack his pancreas.
At the time of Richard’s diagnosis, doctors were still unsure of how best to treat the condition, and although Richard followed all advice, and tested his blood sugar levels regularly, by the time he reached adulthood his health had rapidly deteriorated.
He said: “As a teenager I felt invincible. I had no idea how diabetes would affect my life.
“At 25, I saw the doctor for a routine check and was told that my eyesight was deteriorating, and quickly.”
As well as struggling to see, diabetes causes Richard to experience extreme tiredness, making him heavily reliant on others for support as even the smallest of tasks can leave him exhausted.
Richard said QEHB has given him both medical advice and emotional support too.
“A donation will help to fund research, equipment and facilities ‘over and above’ what the NHS can provide, meaning that diabetes patients like me can get the best help and support available,” he added.
Visit www.qehb.org or call 0121 371 4852 for more on the charity.
