Titan remains undeterred

He bears the name of a mythological being and it suits him.

That is because young Hedland resident Titan Cushion remains undaunted despite being diagnosed with the potentially crippling disease type 1 diabetes.

The son of Port Hedland Rovers player Mark Cushion and wife Jes, Titan requires daily insulin injections to stay alive.

Chocolate, cordial and all manner of sweet treats have also been taken off the table.

Yet the cheeky nine-year-old is not letting it get in the way of his passion for life and sport, after using his speed last week to qualify for sprinting finals at Hedland's interschool carnival.

For Titan, there is only one thing better than playing sport.

"I like winning the most," he said.

Titan's dad said his son's stellar performances on the track came at an opportune time to raise awareness about his disease.

"It is a very strange disease not many people understand," he said, adding that the family did not know of any other type 1 diabetics in Hedland.

"(It would be good) to get rid of the bad stigma that if you have got diabetes you are overweight and need to do more exercise - it is untrue," he said.

"The more we can get the message out there that people do get diabetes through no fault of their own, the better off people will be."

Mr Cushion said Titan was diagnosed with diabetes after a two-week period of feeling lethargic, thirsty and being unable to get off the couch.

He was rushed by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for 14 days.

He now has to receive insulin from a digital pump he carries with him which is connected to his bloodstream.

Titan's blood glucose levels must be monitored 24 hours a day, usually at three-to-four hourly intervals.

Mrs Cushion said he could not get food without first punching the numbers into his pump.

"(We have to monitor) how his insulin is working versus the food intake he has, the exercise he has done, whether he is feeling ill or hormonal - there are so many different factors that come in," she said.

"He has had to become a master mathematician to calculate how many carbs he is having."

Yet despite the challenges, some athletes have already lit a pathway for Titan.

Mr Cushion said the St Kilda Football Club selected type 1 diabetic Patty McCartin last year with its no.1 pick in the AFL draft.

"There are athletes out there with type 1, so if you try hard and work hard, it won't stop you," he said.

"Titan has got the right attitude - he is really determined, driven and cheeky."