More Than My Diagnosis: Sin
For most people, a bucket-list dream stays exactly that.
Completing the Round North Island Yacht Race had been a goal for more than a decade before Sin Grujicic finally cast off aboard Hotdogger and took on one of New Zealand's toughest offshore sailing challenges.
“For twelve years I carried a race in my head before I cast off.”
When that day finally came, Sin and his co-skipper completed the gruelling 1,210-mile race aboard Hotdogger, a 44-year-old Ross 930. After years of preparation, they crossed the finish line having won their division on both line and handicap honours.
Since discovering sailing in 2015, Sin has thrown himself into the sport. He loves two-handed racing, where every decision matters and conditions can change in an instant.
“Two-handed racing is what I absolutely love doing, and that brings me joy in life.”
The challenge is part of the appeal.
“What keeps me going? I suppose setting up goals and working towards those.”
Ask Sin about himself and you'll hear about sailing long before you hear about diabetes.
That's the way he's always wanted it.
Diagnosed with type 1 at 21, he remembers just how unexpected the news was.
“There was no family history. I'm the first type 1, it was just a massive surprise.”
More than 20 years later, it's just a footnote in his day-to-day.
“Diabetes is just part of my life. It's not who I am.”
The similarities between sailing and diabetes aren't lost on him.
“It is what it is. And just like sailing, you just learn to adjust and learn to go with it.”
That approach was particularly important when preparing for the Round North Island Yacht Race. Just months before setting off, Sin transitioned to an insulin pump and spent time figuring out what would work for him offshore.
As he puts it:
“The condition is not the limit. Maintenance, planning and courage are.”
For Sin, that's as true on land as it is at sea.
After more than 20 years with type 1, Sin has learned to take most things in his stride. The assumptions people make about diabetes, though, are another story – especially when people air them so vocally.
“The one that has started annoying me the most over time is that I don't look like I have diabetes... Whatever that may mean.”
Thankfully, Sin has never been short of a comeback.
“I generally respond with that I get my horns ground off on a quarterly basis and that's why they don't really show up.”
Alongside sailing and dismantling the odd stereotype with humour, Sin is passionate about supporting others living with diabetes.
“Being a part of the community and helping other people, especially young people with diabetes, is super important.”
When asked what he hopes people take away from his story, Sin doesn't skip a beat.
“Normality. In one word.”
Life with diabetes might require a bit more planning, but for Sin it's never stopped him chasing the things that matter.
And for anyone newly diagnosed?
“Take the bull by the horns and press on.”