LAST summer Claire Wellings' life was turned upside down forever.
In July the previously-healthy 27-year-old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
It is an incurable condition and needs constant treatment and insulin injections.
Now after eight months of learning to live with the condition she is planning to p
lunge 10,000ft from a plane to fund research into a possible cure.
She said: 'I know the huge impact diabetes has had on my life.
'It is really difficult, particularly for young children, to have injections every day just to stay alive.
'So I am hoping to raise lots of money towards researching a cure.
'I'm sure it will be an absolutely amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.'
Miss Wellings first knew something was wrong with her when she became exhausted at the simplest task.
She developed a raging thirst and a weak bladder.
She said: 'I suspected it might be diabetes, but when I was told I was just gutted.
'Every simple task has to be considered, like eating a chocolate bar.
'Even minor exercise like walking to the bus can lead to a low that will leave me feeling weak and shaky.
'It has had a huge impact, and it is still not fully understood why, or how people develop it.'
Since her diagnosis, Miss Wellings has been on a mission to work out the best way to manage her illness.
She takes one long-acting insulin injection a day, followed by more injections every time she eats.
She has also been attending regular diabetes clinics at Queen Alexandra Hospital, in Cosham, Portsmouth.
She discovered the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation online – a charity that pioneers groundbreaking research into potential cures for the devastating condition.
Now the insurance broker, of Redwood Drive, Portchester, has roped four of her colleagues from Southampton-based firm AON Insurance into doing a superhero-themed parachute jump to raise money for the charity sometime next month.
Sue Perrin, who is the regional fund-raising co-ordinator for the charity, said: 'We're so proud of Claire.
'We all hope that this turns out to be one of the most exhilarating days of her life.'
alex.forsyth
@thenews.co.uk
The full article contains 375 words and appears in NS-City newspaper.
