Half a century with diabetes earns Martin a major award

Half a century with diabetes earns Martin a major award

7 December 2016

A CROSSGAR man, who has been living with Type 1 diabetes since he was a baby, has been presented with a prestigious award by the British Diabetic Association.

Martin Casement — who is now 52 — was presented with the Alan Nabarro medal during a short presentation ceremony at the Downe Hospital on Monday afternoon where he attends the diabetic clinic.

Mr Nabarro has waged a lifelong battle against discrimination against people with diabetes and his compassionate understanding is regarded by many as something which will remain a source of inspiration for many years to come.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just 20 months old, the Crossgar man was delighted to be presented with the medal and to discover he is the first patient in the local area to have lived with the condition for five decades.

Mr Casement, who comes from a family where there is no history of diabetes, was presented with his medal by Downpatrick hospital consultant, Dr Helen Whitehead, who was joined by a number of staff, including diabetes nurse specialists and nutritionists.

“I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 20 months old,” he said. “I had a lot of help with my medication when I was younger and the equipment used has changed dramatically over the decades. It is a lot easier now to self-administer insulin than it used to be.”

Mr Casement — who retired in 2005 — held a number of jobs and worked as a green keeper at Crossgar Golf Club prior to giving up work.

“I have to inject myself four times a day and am delighted to receive this medal in recognition of living with the condition for 50 years. Hopefully I will be able to pick up another medal when I am 62 to mark living with diabetes for six decades.

“My mother administered my treatment until I was eight or nine at which stage I learnt to do it myself and have been ever since. It is now just a matter of routine. I attend the consultant clinic at the Downe for checks.”

Mr Casement, who used to attend the hospital clinic every six to eight weeks, now only attends once a year as he attends the diabetic clinic at his local GP surgery.

“I only heard about the medal recently and am delighted to receive it,” he continued. “Managing my condition is now just second nature but it was much harder when I was younger, especially when I was at school and playing sport.

“I am really chuffed to be presented with this medal and hope it will inspire other people who suffer from diabetes. It is nice to be recognised and I would love to come back and get my 60th year medal.”