Interview with Katie Gellatly

Diabetes.co.uk occasionally hears a story that is truly inspirational for the diabetic community and the world in general. We’d like to share these stories with you, our visitors, in the hope that they can inspire you as much as they have inspired us.

This month, we profile Katie, a young type 1 diabetic who has a special affinity for sailing and could be about to embark on the race of her life…

What is your name?
Katie Gellatly

How old are you?
21

What type of diabetes do you have?
Type 1 Diabetes

How long have you been diagnosed for?
Just over 2 years

What is your standard treatment regimen?
I have 4 injections a day, 3 fast acting and 1 long acting insulin and I test my blood glucose about 6 times a day.

How did you become interested in sailing?
For the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, I just saw an advert in the local press and a friend of mine had already done a leg and doesn’t stop talking about it. I have always been close to the sea, and get my sea legs from my Grandfather who was in the Navy during the war.

What attracts you to sailing?
I love the idea of seeing the world whilst actively racing and learning the ropes and I am attracted by the fact that for 11 months I will be able to turn my mobile phone off!!

How long have you been sailing for?
I haven’t!! I am a total novice and will be going through the training stages having never really stepped foot on a clipper before!! But sometimes I think that may be the best way particularly as Clipper Ventures pride themselves on having a fantastic but intense training programme.

You are currently preparing for an amazing race, could you tell us more about this?
Funds depending, in September I will be sailing full circumnavigation in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht race. Basically, the race will see 10 yachts racing against each other over 7 legs and visiting over 20 ports. It’s the only Round the World Yacht race that combines professional crew with amateurs and will see us descend upon countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Japan, North America and Canada to name but a few. I am the first diabetic to sail full circumnavigation and it has already been a life-changing experience so I can’t wait for the race!

Getting the go-ahead took some time, how did you feel when your doctors said it would be ok?
I came up against a lot of negative attitude and a general perception that “diabetics don’t do these sort of things” but I held my belief and I am so passionate about what I am doing that my doctor agreed and that just made me want to succeed even more and raise awareness of diabetes around the world. Since then it turns out that my doctor has decided to compete in a leg of the race!

What kind of training do you have to undertake?
As standard, all crew undertake 3 stages of training, starting with the basics for a week, getting familiar with living and working on a yacht and general yacht theory that will allow us to obtain a Competent Crew certificate. A more in-depth approach to sailing follows, with emphasis on preparation, teamwork and competing. Finally the last part will be when we are allocated with our skipper and other crew for our yacht to finalise the race preparations. Being a diabetic I have had extra training to get myself at peak fitness as well as a trial of a microchip implant that was put into my stomach to take a blood sugar reading every 5 minutes and see how my diabetes was managing day to day.

What are the special requirements for you as a diabetic?
On board I have to make sure that obviously I have enough medicine to get me from port to port and that my insulin is always cool enough to be effective. I will also have a supply of Lucozade, Glucogel and probably sweets with me in case something serious happens. Part of my doctor’s opposition to my decision to race was that if I have bad seasickness and am unable to eat or drink it could be potentially fatal, particularly if I am too far from land to receive medical treatment.

Is there anything you'd like to say to the diabetes community?
By being able to take in part in such an amazing event, I am proving to anybody who has diabetes that it isn’t a life sentence. With good control and positive belief, extraordinary things can be achieved. So be proud to be diabetic because I am, it has shaped who I am and made me a stronger person and that is the message I will be taking around the world with me...

Good luck Katie, from all the team at Diabetes.co.uk!

Katie is currently looking for sponsorship to help her on her voyage. If anybody out there has any suggestions or support to help raise awareness about diabetes, or if anyone would like to contact Katy about the race or sponsorship, please contact us here.