Sophie Shows that Diabetes is not a Life Restrictor

Sophie Davenport is 11 years old and is the definitive proof that having Type 1 Diabetes does not mean having a less active lifestyle than other people. Living with her parents, Nicky and Jamie, together with younger brother Thomas, in Forfield Drive, Beggarwood, Sophie is a pupil in class 6G at St Mark’s school in Danebury Road, and will be leaving this summer to take up a place at the Henry Beaufort school in Winchester.

Three years ago she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and has to inject herself at least four times a day and sometimes has to eat Jelly Babies to quickly restore her sugar levels. Despite this she is full of enthusiasm for sporting activities.

As well as taking part in the parkrun 5K with a best time of 26.27, beating her brother and her mum in the process, she attends the Aquadrome every Tuesday but although having the potential she does not want to graduate into the Blue Fins swimming club feeling that the sort of dedication needed would eat into her social and family life.

At the beginning of the last autumn term Sophie joined the Basingstoke Hockey Club and has excelled in all aspects of the game. She has been a regular in matches and tournaments throughout the season and In March she entered the U12 STIX competition. Sophie explained what it was all about.

“This was a day of lots of tests of hockey moves and skills to show how well we had learned from our coaches during the season. Points were given for each part and I was really pleased to win the silver medal.”

At the end of April there was the annual club awards presentation ceremony and Sophie was judged to have been the Basingstoke Hockey Club’s Under 12s Female Player of the Year. A splendid silver plated cup with the plinth engraved with her name was presented to her. She will keep this for a year, and as a permanent reminder of this honour she received an engraved bronze coloured shield.

During this last half term holiday the family went camping near Lymington but for half the time Sophie attended a special camp held near Southampton for children with Type 1 Diabetes. Its purpose was to give encouragement to the children attending this programme that their medical condition should not be a hindrance and that they should develop the confidence to live life to the full. There were plenty of activities to bring this point home to the attendees.  Sophie Davenport was a prime example to the other children how she has refused to accept any major restrictions on her sporting ambitions. And if she can do it then so can others.