Lara was an active eight year old, when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007. Not letting this stand in her way, she has since gone on to play basketball for Australia. In light of this week’s World Health Day with a theme of ‘Beat Diabetes’, we want to share a story of triumph over adversity!
Fortunately, Lara did not show severe symptoms of T1D as her mother, Melinda, had recognised the symptoms from some information she’d seen about early indicators of T1D. Melinda took Lara to her GP that afternoon and the next day she was officially diagnosed with T1D.
While her life changed dramatically in terms of the monitoring of her food intake and blood glucose levels, Lara and her parents were determined that she would live life to the full. She continued enjoying her sporting pursuits, particularly excelling in basketball. Lara has over the years had to learn how her body reacts to high levels of physical exertion at all hours of the day, over single sessions, and week-long camps and tournaments, all the while managing her blood glucose levels.
In September 2015, Lara was offered a 2016 scholarship for the Australian Opals Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport, and
started there in January.
Lara’s message to young people diagnosed with T1D is, “Look after yourself, put your health needs first, and don’t let T1D stop you from doing anything you want.”
Apart from what she has achieved in sport, Lara also contributed to her local community, assisting as an age manager with the Nippers at her local surf club, and as an active patrol surf life saver. Lara was elected as School Captain, but was unable to take on the role as she left to attend the Centre of Excellence.
Lara’s rise to the top of the basketball world
In 2011, Lara played her first season of basketball for the U14 Newcastle Hunters, and in 2014 was selected to represent Country NSW at the U16 Nationals. Her performance there secured her selection to attend the Australian Development Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in January 2015. Lara then gained a spot in the U16 Australian Sapphires team for the 2015 Oceania championships where the Sapphires qualified for the 2016 U17 World Championships.