Lisa Sutton, 55, from Haddiscoe, Norfolk had always wanted to do the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge. Then last year she was diagnosed with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA).
The couple were surprised when a routine visit to the GP led to a diabetes diagnosis. Lisa had always been fit and healthy and had no symptoms or they were very mild. She was put on insulin straight away.
“I had no idea I was ill. Symptoms had come on slowly over time and I guess my body and I were coping with it. When I was told I had diabetes I thought it was type 2 because of my age. I feel that I was kept informed and supported by the hospital team. The internet was a minefield, but my Specialist Diabetes Nurse pointed me towards the Diabetes UK website, which was very useful and informative," said Lisa.
LADA is a type of diabetes which seems to straddle type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Bits of it are more like type 1 diabetes, and other bits are more like type 2 diabetes. That's why some people call it type 1.5 diabetes or type 1½ diabetes.
Since her diagnosis Lisa has tried to encourage others to go for health checks and get trustworthy information about diabetes.
“There are so many misconceptions about causes, what we can and can't do, what we can and can't eat! I hope by being open with my approach to diabetes that others are educated and that we may reach a point where people don’t feel stigmatised.
"The highlight is that people with diabetes can do anything they choose to do. When I asked my consultant if we should postpone our walk he said 'I would not recommend space travel but otherwise you can do anything'. Diabetes is life-changing but doesn't have to be life altering."
Lisa uses a continuous glucose monitor now and says her diabetes care by the NHS has been “outstanding”.
Adventure in a campervan around the country
Lisa and Marcus love doing coastal walks in Norfolk and Suffolk and in 2021 completed Hadrian’s Wall and got the 'bug of distance walking'.
They had planned to take on Land’s End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) before diagnosis. Lisa explained:
“Diabetes has given me more drive to complete this challenge, while raising money for such a good cause. The more I have spoken to people, social media etc. the more we realise how many people are affected directly or indirectly by diabetes”.
They started the walk on 23rd April in Land’s End and hope to finish in John O’Groats on 17th July. It will take 79 days to walk over 1000 miles, averaging 13.5 miles a day and they are using their campervan and a base, which is ideal as there is a fridge for storing insulin.
“We live in Norfolk where there are no hills. We have been doing lots of training but can't train for hills. So, we will have challenges, including walking uphill and managing my blood sugars whilst ensuring I eat enough to keep me fuelled and healthy. Marcus cycled LEJOG 10 years ago and is looking forward to revisiting the challenge on foot. Hopefully, we are both physically fit enough. I am very aware that managing my blood sugars on this long-distance walk will be a big learning curve.” said Lisa.
Teresa Strange, Community Fundraiser, East of England at Diabetes UK, said:
“Our charity greatly appreciates all their amazing fundraising, having already raised over £2,700. They are also raising a huge amount of awareness, which is priceless. I would like to say a huge THANK YOU, to Lisa and Marcus for what they are doing, and also a special thank you to all of those who have supported them, it really is greatly appreciated."
Follow their journey and support them here: Marcus and Lisa are fundraising for Diabetes UK (justgiving.com)
