Western Bulldogs youngster Sam Reid believes he has grown as a person, on and off the football field, since learning he has type 1 diabetes.
Caloundra product Reid, who has played five games for the Bulldogs, will continue his comeback from groin surgery in the Williamstown reserves this weekend before stepping up to the AFL next week.
And, according to afl.com.au, the Bulldogs are well prepared to manage his medical condition when he returns to the top side as expected in a few weeks.
Each time Reid heads to the bench during a game, he will undergo a finger-prick blood test to ensure his sugar levels are satisfactory.
“Sometimes I’ll have to sit down for a bit and maybe eat some lollies or drink some Powerade,” Reid told afl.com.au.
“It’s quick.
“I only have to prick my finger and then it takes five seconds to read so the maximum time I need is 20 seconds.”
Rather than curse his bad luck, Reid is working with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has even found the condition has helped his game.
“In a way, it’s helped my football because I have to be so prepared with everything,” he continued.
Reid’s determination to overcome the illness and continue his football career unabated is proving an inspiration for other players suffering from the disease.
“Kids with diabetes think they can’t do anything, so I thought if I’m going to get better I have to do this and do it right," Reid said.
“Before I got diagnosed, I didn’t even know what it really was.
“It’s changed my thoughts on it and now I want to help a lot of people understand what it is.
“I get letters saying, ‘I didn’t think I’d be able to play football with diabetes and now you’ve got it, I know I can do stuff’."
Reid told the Daily earlier this week he was targeting the Bulldogs’ round 10 clash with Collingwood as his AFL comeback match.
Last Modified on 24/05/2010 10:32