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First Grade
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By James Phelps
August 23, 2007
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22289889-5006066,00.html
YOUNG diabetic and rising surfer Tasman Nealon last night revealed how a phone call from Manly fullback Brett Stewart changed his life.
Nealon, 15, was last year diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
He immediately stopped surfing and became dangerously depressed.
Friends became concerned Nealon would commit self-harm as the Coffs Harbour youth came to terms with his daily shots of insulin.
All that changed when his hero Brett Stewart, also a diabetes sufferer, called to give him a new outlook on life
"I couldn't believe he called me," Nealon said.
"I was in a pretty bad way and one day the phone rang and it was Brett. I didn't know what to say. I was struggling but Brett was able to describe and explain things and really helped me back.
"He told me I shouldn't let it hold me back and made it a lot clearer. He gave me some advice on how to cope and I haven't looked back since."
Stewart, who has Type 1 diabetes, became the unofficial face of diabetes earlier this year when The Daily Telegraph revealed he carried a packet of snakes in his kit-bag to top up sugar levels.
The NSW Origin star has been bombarded with requests from diabetes sufferers since.
The reluctant role model yesterday cracked a smile when told about Nealon's turnaround.
"I got a few requests before Origin but now I am getting a lot," Stewart said.
"A lot of parents and kids send letters and I do my best to keep up. I try and get back to all of them although sometimes it takes a while.
"It is uplifting when you can help someone out."
Nealon is back on the surfboard after Stewart's advice - but now, like everything in his life, he is enjoying it.
"I don't compete any more," Nealon said. "I am just doing it for fun and not doing anything too seriously . . . just enjoying life."
August 23, 2007
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22289889-5006066,00.html
YOUNG diabetic and rising surfer Tasman Nealon last night revealed how a phone call from Manly fullback Brett Stewart changed his life.
Nealon, 15, was last year diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
He immediately stopped surfing and became dangerously depressed.
Friends became concerned Nealon would commit self-harm as the Coffs Harbour youth came to terms with his daily shots of insulin.
All that changed when his hero Brett Stewart, also a diabetes sufferer, called to give him a new outlook on life
"I couldn't believe he called me," Nealon said.
"I was in a pretty bad way and one day the phone rang and it was Brett. I didn't know what to say. I was struggling but Brett was able to describe and explain things and really helped me back.
"He told me I shouldn't let it hold me back and made it a lot clearer. He gave me some advice on how to cope and I haven't looked back since."
Stewart, who has Type 1 diabetes, became the unofficial face of diabetes earlier this year when The Daily Telegraph revealed he carried a packet of snakes in his kit-bag to top up sugar levels.
The NSW Origin star has been bombarded with requests from diabetes sufferers since.
The reluctant role model yesterday cracked a smile when told about Nealon's turnaround.
"I got a few requests before Origin but now I am getting a lot," Stewart said.
"A lot of parents and kids send letters and I do my best to keep up. I try and get back to all of them although sometimes it takes a while.
"It is uplifting when you can help someone out."
Nealon is back on the surfboard after Stewart's advice - but now, like everything in his life, he is enjoying it.
"I don't compete any more," Nealon said. "I am just doing it for fun and not doing anything too seriously . . . just enjoying life."
