Diabetes won't stop talented footballer
Frank Clarke (on left) was diagnosed with diabetes at age six. "It was," says his mother Lianne, "a very difficult time."
But four years on, Frank and his family have long gone past the early difficult stage, and are now on a roll towards Frank's dreams of becoming a professional footballer at Manchester United. It may well be more than just a dream too, because Frank is an exceptionally talented player.
He is a member of the Coerver coaching programme and was invited to join their elite class. Coerver operates in New Zealand and worldwide, and the elite programme is for the best age group players only - those with extraordinary ability, and provides a real and tangible pathway for New Zealand's best into the English professional football scene.
Frank would like to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo in the mid-field at Man U, but he's not getting ahead himself.
"I might have to go and rent a bed-sit in Wigan or something for a few years, until I make it," he reckons.
Asked how he manages with diabetes while playing football, Frank explains that he just does a blood glucose test before the game, at half time, and right after the game. Oh, he'll probably do one while he's warming up too. He says his two best mates, Edward and Thomas, help him out and will go get his mum if he's heading for a low or a hypo.
The boys are not concerned about Frank having to do blood glucose tests or inject insulin, because team coach Gary Norris took the time to explain to the team about Frank having diabetes and what that involves.
Frank's mother, Lianne, says that was the best thing he could have done.
"By being upfront, the kids just take it in their stride, and that makes it so much easier for all of us."
Team-mate Edward Hall agrees, saying he and the other kids watch Frank doing his tests and can read the results on his meter.
"If it's too high or too low, we can see, and then we can tell his mum or something," says Edward, who adds that Frank is a VERY good soccer player.
"He scored a really good goal the other day when it was nil all and the game was nearly finished. The field was really muddy and he just got it in the last five minutes and we won, so it was a really, really good goal."
Although he's clearly talented, that will only take a champion so far. Real champions are dedicated and put in hours of practice, and Frank does exactly that. But for someone with diabetes, a full-on sports regime requires special attention, and Lianne says the support from the diabetes team and the consultant at hospital has been outstanding.
"Our consultant understands Frank's passion for football, and has worked out a mix of insulins for different days, depending on whether he's training, or whether it's game day or a day off," says Lianne.
The insulin regime involves multiple daily injections, and Frank is on the waiting list for a funded insulin pump which will make life easier. But meanwhile, Frank is fine about the injections and testing.
"It's just what I have to do. That's all," he says.
His diabetes also means paying attention to what he eats. Mum Lianne says that's not a bad thing, as the whole family now eats healthy. Frank says not being able to have chocolate too often is the worst thing about diabetes. But occasionally there's a treat, such as his birthday and the winning soccer goal.
Once again though, having people in the know, makes a big difference and team manager, Fiona Hall, who organised the cake, checked with Lianne and saved the cake until the team dinner that night, when Frank could happily eat a piece of his cake.
"We try not to let diabetes get in the way of chasing his dreams," says Lianne, "and it really helps having other people on side too.
But I must admit I'm sometimes a bit nervous about mentioning diabetes when filling out forms for all his sporting things. I would hate to think it ever disadvantaged him."
Frank though, isn't worried.
"It doesn't matter if you've got diabetes. You can still be a champion," he declares.
And we're looking forward to seeing him become that champion, whether it's for the All Whites, the English team (his dad is English) or for his favourite Manchester United. You go Frank!