The Sentinel reports on a couple providing useful service for over 25 years.
Stuart and Glenys Grime, of Oldhill Close, Talke Pits, were inspired to help raise money and awareness about diabetes after their son Robert was diagnosed with the condition as a teenager. Stuart, a 74-year-old retired advertising representative and Glenys, a 73-year-old retired nursery nurse, also have two grandchildren and have been volunteering for Diabetes UK for more than 25 years.
Colette Warbrook reports:
When and where did you first meet?
Stuart says: We met at the Trentham Gardens ballroom in 1959 when I was about 25. I asked Glenys for a dance, and as we danced we got chatting and found we got on well together. There was a mutual attraction and we started going to Trentham together at weekends, so things developed slowly from there.
Glenys says: We met while ballroom dancing at Trentham Gardens and our relationship gradually developed from there. We got on very, very well together, and we used to love dancing.
What was your first impression of each other?
Stuart says: I'm not one of those romantics. We just took a great liking to one another and realised we were very, very well suited.
Glenys says: I just knew Stuart was going to be very steady and caring, and that is how he has always been. He has been very caring to both me and Robert, and also the grandchildren.
How was your wedding day?
Stuart says: We just drifted into getting married, so there was no formal proposal. Our wedding was in October, 1960, at Chesterton Parish Church. The sun shone and it was a nice day all round.
Glenys says: Our wedding day was very nice. It was a lovely, sunny day.
How did you find out Robert had diabetes?
Stuart says: It was in 1982 and we were in Windsor at the time staying in a caravan. Robert was aged about 14 or 15, and he kept running to the toilet. He was thirsty and was losing weight too, so we knew there was something wrong. We broke off our holiday, came home and went to the doctor. It was found that Robert had diabetes and he was taken to hospital straight away.
Glenys says: It was during the October half-term, and Robert looked very gaunt. We became very concerned, so we decided to pack up and come straight home. The next morning we went to the doctor and a sample was taken and he was then admitted to hospital immediately.
How did you cope with the news?
Stuart says: It was very worrying. Robert was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which means his body is unable to produce insulin, so he has to inject himself with it. We didn't know anything about diabetes at the time, and we were taught how to inject Robert. However, he has always injected himself, right from day one.
Glenys says: Back then we thought diabetes was something old people had, and we'd never come into contact with anyone who actually had it, so we were rather frightened.
How did it change family life?
Stuart says: Some foods were banned, some could be eaten in moderation and others were perfectly OK. We used to have to measure out portions, which you don't have to do today. Sweets were out, so to this day we don't have a dessert after a main meal, which means Robert doesn't feel left out.
Glenys says: We carried on as usual, but we changed our diet. Back then we had to weigh things like apples and bread, but once we knew all these things, we just got on with it.
Why did you start volunteering for Diabetes UK?
Stuart says: Glenys knew someone who told us about the Newcastle branch of what was then the British Diabetic Association. We went to our first meeting a few months after Robert was diagnosed and we learned an awful lot through that. Later we were invited on to the committee and I was chairman for 14 years. The group is now known as Diabetes UK North Staffs Voluntary Group, and it has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for things like equipment for the diabetes unit at The University Hospital Of North Staffordshire.
Glenys says: Someone told us about the meetings in Newcastle and we went to our first one in February 1983. We found the charity very, very helpful, and we've been involved ever since. There are so many dedicated people in our group who all work very hard, but we're looking for some younger people to get involved, because we're all getting older.
How is Robert now?
Stuart says: Robert is 41 now and he is fine. He has to inject himself four times a day, but he's been a model diabetic. He hasn't done anything silly and has always kept to the regime. People can still lead relatively normal lives, but there are restrictions.
Glenys says: He is a wonderful son, and he holds down a very good job as a quantity surveyor. We've been very fortunate with how he has looked after himself.
A Christmas Fair will take place at Bradwell Lodge, Porthill, at 2pm on Saturday, November 29, to raise money for Diabetes UK North Staffs Voluntary Group. To find out more about the group, contact the secretary, David Scott, on 01782 861690
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