Picture: Nigel Clements
By Casey Neill
THREE years ago, Ferntree Gully mum Sharon Abdallah struggled to stay awake for more than six hours.
Today, the 45-year-old is trekking six hours a day along the Great Wall of China to raise cash for kids with diabetes.
“I think it will be a great way to prove to myself what a person can do to make changes in their life,” she said.
Ms Abdallah weighed 120-plus kilograms before she began the battle of the bulge. Four months ago, a letter about the Diabetes Australia fundraiser arrived just as she reached her goal weight.
“It literally took my breath away,” she said.
“I’m meant to do this.”
She wants to inspire others to turn their lives around. Before her weight loss, she’d sleep for over an hour each afternoon.
She’ll spend six hours on foot during each of her five days walking the Wall. In preparation, Ms Abdallah has been tackling Upper Ferntree Gully’s 1000 Steps six days a week as well as walking.
“I’m making up for lost time,” she said.
“For when I did nothing for myself.”
She expected to pick up a few blisters during the challenge.
“And lose a couple more kilos,” she said.
Ms Abdallah has raised $7000 for Diabetes Australia Victoria before she sets off on 25 October, including a $3500 donation from Jenny Craig.
She’s seen first hand what the money can do. Her son Harris, 17, has Type 1 diabetes.
He’s participated in the Diabetes Camps Victoria program, which help suffers aged 7 to 17 years learn how to live with their illness and meet others in a similar position. Harris will attend his final camp in January.
“When he was 12 years old, he went off to a camp and came home self-injecting,” Ms Abdallah said.
“That was a big step.”
“It was a really nice way for him to meet other kids with diabetes with the same experiences.”
Doctors, dieticians and other experts are on hand with information.
“Parents wouldn’t be able to pay for it all,” Ms Abdallah said.
Visit www.diabetesvic.org.au/events for more information about Diabetes Camps Victoria.
