A challenge with himself but above all with the type 1 diabetes he has been fighting for some time. And here is the great desire to overcome the limits of the disease and to live well thanks also to sport. With this spirit Julien Buso, 32 years old originally from Grenoble, decided to travel around Europe on a bike, together with his partner Caroline Ougier. Having left Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on 14 February, in recent days they stopped in Oristano where they were welcomed by representatives of Aniad (Italian National Association of Diabetic Athletes) who gave all the necessary support to the two cycles travelers to continue the adventure.
Julien Buso, as he himself says, discovered he had diabetes at the age of 19. “A few years ago my girlfriend and I savored the beauty of traveling by bike – he reports – since then our holidays have always been on two wheels. Then we thought about a longer tour and now we are touring Europe.” A fascinating and stimulating adventure despite living with diabetes. “Sport has always been an integral part of my life, I never thought that this disease could limit me in sporting activities – he explains – Indeed, it motivated me even more. And it even helps me to learn more about my body, its possible reactions and nutritional needs.” Julien Buso’s message is precisely this: “Make people understand that diabetes is not a limit, an obstacle to achieving goals or cultivating passions. On the contrary: with the right lifestyle and lots of sport, you can be calm and even acquire greater knowledge and skills about yourself.”
A lot of passion but for such a long and complex journey, it was essential to equip ourselves for every eventuality. “I had to plan a specific organization to continue the treatment – he explains – Unfortunately I didn’t find any indications for diabetes management during a bike trip and so I launched an appeal on social media”. Julien lets it be known that in France his drugs are covered 100% by the healthcare system but this is not the case abroad: you have to pay in advance, then there will be reimbursements. “I asked for help to receive or move the packages with medicines and aids during the stages of my journey – he adds – it would have been impossible to carry all the necessary equipment with me, especially on a bike, for 8 months”. The buzz on social media was successful, with many patient associations on the front line helping the two cycle travellers, starting with Aniad.
In Oristano the national and regional president of the Association Marcello Grussu, with the vice president Benedetto Mameli welcomed Julien, providing him with all the assistance and logistical support to collect the parcels sent from France. “Because having diabetes – he adds – means being part of a community where it is natural to be supportive and caring towards people suffering from the same disease. Thanks to Aniad for what they did for me and my girlfriend.”
The journey to the Old Continent will last eight months. Julien Buso and Caroline Ougier passed through the north-east of Spain, crossed southern Portugal, then back to Spain with stops in Granada and Barcelona. From the Catalan city the two cycle travelers then embarked for Sardinia. After Oristano and Cagliari, we set off for Sicily. The journey will continue in Puglia, from where the two will embark for Albania. The tour will continue in Turkey, Northern Europe and the Baltic states, then the couple will return to France with “a wealth of experience and wealth, thanks also to the people met along the way, which we will always keep with us”.
Great satisfaction also for Aniad, an association which is a point of reference for sick people on the island. An important reality given that official data speak of over 110 thousand cases of patients suffering from diabetes, while in the province of Oristano alone there are over 11 thousand cases of diabetes, representing approximately 14 percent of the population of the province, substantially corresponding to the users of the Oristano ASL. The complex Diabetology structure of the ASL 5 of Oristano alone looks after around 7 thousand.
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Tags: Tour Europe bike French diabetic
