CARAVAN
WORDS: MAX TAYLOR
Care
THE INSPIRING CAROL AND TERRY CHAMNEY HAVEN’T LET CAROL’S NEED
FOR REGULAR HAEMODIALYSIS PREVENT THEM FROM TOURING. IN FACT,
THEY’VE TURNED THEIR CARAVAN INTO A PERSONAL DIALYSIS CLINIC…
COMPLICATIONS
A lack of money, a full-time job, kids in school…
so many of us want to travel but there is always
something in the way. Does that sound familiar?
The truth is, if you want to hitch up and head
off, there’s always a way. And nobody embodies
this essential truth more than Terry and Carol
Chamney.
For 42 years, Carol, now 58, has managed life
with type 1 diabetes, an auto-immune disease in
which the body’s own cells kill the insulin-making
cells in the pancreas. Has that prevented Terry,
61, and Carol from enjoying the RV lifestyle? Not
on your life.
Two years ago, Terry – a self-described Jack of all
trades – gave up work in order to become Carol’s
full-time carer. Carol, who has worked as a nurse
and medical receptionist, married Terry 11 years
ago, following the death of her previous husband
about 15 years ago.
“Diabetes itself is not that hard to control
these days with modern medicine; however, the
complications that go with it can be horrific,”
Terry told GoRV.
“There can be problems with the feet, eyes and
kidneys. With the blood flow problems to the feet,
diabetics get neuropathy – zero feeling – in the
feet. A small cut that anyone else would feel won’t