Mother to ride in bid to improve son’s life

Jackie Ross will ride through pain barriers to help improve her seven-year-old son’s quality of life in the future.

The mother of two will ride 160km in the Ride to Cure Diabetes event in the Barossa Valley next month.

Since the age of four, Ms Ross’ son Baden has been inflicted with the condition which is potentially life threatening.

Baden has been hypoglycemic several times due to lower than normal blood glucose levels, leading to convulsions.

‘‘That’s the precursor to a coma,’’ Ms Ross said.

The devoted mother sets her alarm for midnight and 2am nightly to check on her son’s levels.

‘‘Without good management his life can be really revolting,’’ she said.

But personality goes a long way.

‘‘He’s pretty cool and gutsy which has helped — he doesn’t let anything stop him,’’ Ms Ross said.

Ms Ross has been training three times a week for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s event, clocking up to 220km to put her in peak form for the ride.

She has raised $5000 to contribute to diabetes research in the hope of finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Ms Ross said she hoped to see her son being cured in her lifetime.

If you would like to support Jackie’s fundraising event visit http://ride.jdrf.org.au/KatanningKruisers/JacquelineRoss/