Former bank manager, living with type 2 diabetes

Ian Westman was watching a game of footy with one of his mates when the two blokes started talking about their health. “My friend was curious if my diabetes had already gone away,” laughs Ian who of course knows that he will live with type 2 diabetes for the rest of his life. There is no cure for diabetes.

The former bank manager from Oakleigh was 38-years young when he learned of his diagnosis. Although being a young and very active person, Ian was aware of his high risk of developing type 2 diabetes as it runs in his family. “It was a bit of time-bomb,” says Ian. His mum was keen to have him tested after he lost a lot of weight and was generally exhausted. “I wasn’t looking after myself as good as I could have at that time.”

Since his diagnosis in 1994, Ian has changed his diet and is very mindful of what he is eating. “I have cut the soft drinks altogether,” says Ian who loves walking his two dogs and aims to walk 10,000 steps every day. The main treatment for type 2 diabetes is healthy eating and regular physical activity. Next to making appropriate lifestyle changes, taking oral medications or administering insulin are important options in the management of type 2 diabetes.

“I feel that many people do not understand diabetes,” says Ian. “Especially the differences between type 1 and type 2 are not generally known or, in my case, that some people with type 2 are required to administer insulin too.” Ian is one of over 236,000 Australians (23%) who need insulin to manage their type 2 diabetes. He currently has two injections every day.