Paul Hagreen

Paul was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 4 years of age, he is now 17 years old and has had in excess of 62,000 blood tests, 21,000 Injections/cannula changes. I have never heard him complain once. He loves sport and despite being very difficult balancing the sport he does with the insulin he needs and the food he needs to eat according to his blood sugar reading, he is so determined that it will not hold him back. Paul was scouted at the age of 9 to play football at academy level, and has progressed to now play semi-professional football which is a tremendous achievement for anyone that is 17 years old. He also plays tennis and cricket at a very good level and even though he is so busy playing sport he coaches younger children every week to play these sports too. He represented GB winning a football tournament for children with diabetes in Switzerland. Paul also trys to raise the profile of diabetes so that others will not be afraid, he recently spoke in front of 700 people telling them about the impact of diabetes on his life. When Paul was diagnosed we never would have thought he would accomplish so much. He is very quiet about all his accomplishments, but as his parents we feel very proud of him. When the rest of the team are having there team talk at half time I know Paul will be checking his blood level and doing the necessary things so that his body will give him the best sport performance when he returns on the field of play. He is an inspiration to everyone.