Dalmuir man using curling to help give his life purpose

Douglas Third, 40, a keen curler, suffered a serious brain injury when he was just a 17-month-old baby before being diagnosed with leukaemia at 16-years-old.

Then, 12 years ago he had to have emergency surgery to remove his intestine due to being diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis, a long-term condition that affects the bowel.

The procedure meant that Douglas had to stop playing the one hobby he credits with giving him much joy in his life – curling.

Douglas was diagnosed with leukaemia at 16 (Image: Alex Craig)

The winter Olympic sport, played on ice and consisting of teams taking turns to slide giant stones made of granite towards a target, is big in countries such as Switzerland, the Scandinavian countries and Canada, as well as our very own Scotland, with the countries curlers often returning from Olympics and World Championships with medals.

Douglas managed to return to the ice rink in 2015, five years after his diagnosis.

He took up the sport in 2006 after he noticed an advert in a local newspaper from Dumbarton Curling Club looking for players – and he was the only person who responded.

And speaking to the Post, Douglas explained he gets much more out of playing curling than just getting on the ice.

He said: “I just like the fact that its something I have been trying to improve with.

“It’s one of these things that isn’t as easy as it looks.

“But I mean, just the simple thing about going along and playing and meeting other people and talking.

“It’s the whole social aspect that’s great.

“I tend to start doing things for a wee while, and then I’ll get a wee bit distracted and go off and do something else.

“Whereas the curling, has been one of the constants in my life.”

The Ottawa Valley Curling Group tour Scotland playing local clubs (Image: Alex Craig)

Recently Douglas, who also goes around the country to act as an umpire for curling matches, received a shock call-up to play a match against a touring Canadian side, much to his surprise, and told the Post about shocking the tourists when he won his match.

“I wasn’t really expecting it at all,” Douglas continued.

“I was playing for Ardgown, I was filling in for one of them because they were looking about for a player.

“I turned up not really knowing what to expect and I really enjoyed it I must admit.

“It was really nice getting to talk to the players from Canada, and it was even better to win our game.”

Douglas (centre) won his match against Ottawa (Image: Alex Craig)

The match was a result of a tour by Canadian club the Ottawa Valley Curling Group, who tour Scotland playing local clubs every four years.

Douglas added: “I felt happy that they thought to ask me. It is quite an honour, getting to play in these things, because they are selecting the best from each club to play the Canadian.

“Maybe one day I’ll get to go over to Canada to play.”