A Jimboomba father is returning to Papua New Guinea to embark on his second scaling of the Kokoda Track, all in the name of diabetes awareness.
Tyson Major was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 30.
Mr Major said the diagnosis left him in a funk, but after years of “self-pity and depression”, the promise of adventure gave him a new lease on life.
“The diagnosis changed my life dramatically… but in 2022, an Aussie charity called Type 1 foundation announced they were going to do the Kokoda Track in 2023 so I thought I’d kick myself in the butt and go and do something,” he said.
“The trek was absolutely unreal – there were about 26 of us and all of us had been affected by diabetes somehow, but I was the only diabetic on the track.
“The rest were doctors, nurses or parents, and collectively we raised over $20,000.”
Mr Major said he faced obstacles on the track the others didn’t.
“It was different for me because obviously I’m a type 1 diabetic, so I’ve got to manage my blood sugar levels and that’s affected by everything – heat, exercise, the food you intake,” he said.
“But to be honest, the others struggled on the track more than I did – half the time I was supporting them.”
Less than a year later and Mr Major is already preparing for another trek.
“I fell in love with Papua New Guinea while I was over there for some strange reason,” he said.
“They’ve put me on as a trek leader this year, so I’ll mentor some blokes and help them get across the track.”
The Kokoda Track is a 90km, single-file hike through the Owen Stanley Range spanning 10 days and was the location of a devastating World War II battle between Japanese and Australian forces.
Extreme weather conditions make the hike notoriously difficult for even the most seasoned athletes.
Mr Major said he was “pretty lucky” to be trekking the trail during Papua New Guinea’s dry season.
“We did it in August 2023, just like we’re doing this year, so there was no rain while we were walking,” he said.
“The countryside over there is absolutely beautiful – you get sick of the colour green.
Despite hiking 10 to 11 hours a day, Mr Major said he was immensely excited to get back on the track.
“It’s in the top four of the world’s hardest treks, so it’s great to push myself,” he said.
“And to show other people or kids that are living with an illness they think will hold them back, that you can still achieve your dreams and goals.
“There’s nothing stopping you from doing what you want to do.”
Before leaving in August this year, Mr Major is raising funds to support Type 1 diabetes support and research.
His page can be found here: mycause.com.au/p/331856/tyson-major?menu=open.
