Diabetes not stopping Logan from achieving his dream

Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder Logan Prince has type one diabetes but that has not stopped the ten-year-old playing the sport he lives and breathes.

The talented young footballer has been participating in Blackburn Rovers Community Trust’s Football Camps for nearly five years and it has completely changed both his and his family’s life around.

Since joining the Football Camp, Logan has been signed by the club’s academy, joined local Sunday team Blackburn Eagles and thoroughly enjoying his life.

Logan is cared for by single mother of three, Joanne Prince, who also has a daughter with epilepsy, and she can’t speak highly enough of the support she has received from Blackburn Rovers Community Trust with all the coaches voluntarily taking the necessary training in order to help support him.

She said: “The coaches have been absolutely fantastic and I couldn’t have coped without them. It is a 24 hour job taking care of Logan but all the staff took it upon themselves to get fully trained so they know all about his care in order for him to join the Football Camp.

“He has been to every one ever since he started and Blackburn Rovers Community Trust have gone above and beyond my expectations and become part of the family now!”

It was just over six years ago when Logan was diagnosed with type one diabetes, shortly after his fourth birthday.

The news shocked the family as Joanne explained how they control Logan’s diabetes and how they want to raise awareness for the illness. She continued: “I have to check him day and night because his blood levels can fluctuate and I also have to assess him every time he eats.

“We noticed his symptoms when he was four and the doctors initially thought it was just a migraine but two weeks later he was rushed into hospital and placed in intensive care before he was diagnosed.

“We have to check his blood more than eight times per day. For the first two years he had the condition, I never left his side, but the Football Camp was something he wanted to do and you can’t stop them doing it. He loved it straight away and it has given him so much more confidence and freedom.

“It has not only given Logan something to do but it has given me a break too. It is a lot for such a child to go through but he is a fantastic son and we are proud of him.

“He is determined and this is not going to stop him from what he wants to achieve.”

The ten-year old, who predominately plays as a midfielder, added: “I love coming to the Football Camp at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and it is so much better than sitting there and feeling sorry for myself.

“I have made so many new friends by coming along and I want to keep on coming because everyone looks after me and I have such a good time.”