It’s World Diabetes Day today and our inspirational Bader Grant Recipient, Simon Heaps has been in touch to remind us to raise awareness of this condition with its many potential repercussions.
Simon, who has had Type 1 Diabetes since his late teens, knows only too well the long term dangers of this chronic disease.
Despite losing both legs as a result of having it, he is inspiring so many people by continuing to compete at Wheelchair Table Tennis with the ambition of becoming World Champion in next month’s Games. The way Simon has been playing, competing across the world as a self-funding athlete, and improving his rankings by consistently beating players higher ranked than himself, this is not a wild dream. Para-athlete, Simon, now 68, is inspiring both older people and those with physical impairments to realise that if you have a dream and work hard at it you can achieve pretty much anything. He embodies the Bader spirit and we are hugely proud of him. His motto:
Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.
says it all.
We will be thinking of him when he competes in Thailand next month against the best disabled players in the world and wishing him the success he so deserves.
Press Release – It’s World Diabetes Day
68 year old Para Athlete Simon Heaps from Milford on Sea, Lymington will be representing Great Britain in the World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from 1st to 9th December . Simon who competes in Wheelchair Table Tennis Class 5 is Great Britain No 2, No 10 in Europe and currently 28 in the World Rankings and will be aiming to become World Champion in next months Games.
A bilateral amputee after losing both of his legs in the last 4 years due to long term Type 1 Diabetes Simon found table tennis again from his hospital bed, following his first amputation , and his success in the last 2 years has been nothing short of phenomenal as he has won Medals for Great Britain, of all colours , across the globe.
Simon is a totally self funded athlete when representing Great Britain and the Douglas Bader Foundation is proud to be supporting Simon on this incredible journey.
To have Simon displaying the name of DBF on his Great Britain kit as he strives to beat some of the best disabled players in the World in Thailand next month should be inspirational to any other Para athletes as they set out on their International careers in their chosen Para sports.
This is even more poignant as November is World Diabetes Month and is sure to bring awareness to this disease. We wish Simon the greatest success in Thailand.
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