Health Hero - Dervis
Konuralp
"I am a visually impaired person, but I have never allowed my
disability to stand in the way of my goals, dreams, and ambition"
said Dervis.
At the age of nine, Dervis was diagnosed with an eye condition
called Macular Dystrophy Stargardt’s, which meant he was losing his
central vision in both eyes. In defiance of this news, Dervis set
out to prove that his disability would not stand in the way of
success. Dervis, who grew up in Hackney in an 'active, get up and
go family' urged local people to discover that Hackney really is a
place of opportunities.
Question & Answer Session
Q Do you still train here in Hackney? Where can
you be spotted?
A I'm often at Clissold Park and
constantly at the London Fields Lido; a 50 metre heated outdoor
pool at the corner of London Field's Park. It's a Godsend. I then
cycle down the canal to get to the gym at Mile End. Sometimes I
pick up a meal at one of the healthy restaurants near Broadway
Market.
Q What is a typical day's menu for
you?
A Well, since I train to much I need a
low calorie/high carb diet. I start with 8 slices of toast with
peanut butter and banana and an energy drink. Lunch and dinner
might be some pasta and a jacket potato and salad and beans, or
maybe some coleslaw with protein shakes and water. I drink 3-4
litres a day of water.
Q What is your advice to people who want to stay
fit in Hackney?
A I would say to people -- take
responsibility for yourself and don't wait for someone else to do
it for you. Parents have a massive responsibility to create a
structured environment for children to get off to a healthy start
so they find the right path for themselves in the future. Here in
Hackney there are fantastic cycle paths, so many opportunities to
ditch the four wheels and move to two.
The canal is also a great place to walk. I would encourage young
people to drop the remote control or the x-box, get off the street
corner and get involved in a sport. I wouldn't be who I am today
without sport; getting your body in shape makes you better in
everything else too -- academic studies, business, reaching your
goals in other parts of your life. So I would say, get active, make
a start today.