American Diabetes Association: Life With Type 1 is Possible!

Life With Type 1 is Possible!
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
By: Kent Lane

Life With Type 1 is Possible!

After over 42 years with Type 1 Diabetes, I am still going strong with no complications!

In 1955 my parents discovered a new disease. It was called Diabetes. At 3 years old, my sister developed Type 1 Diabetes (discovered after she had already fallen into a coma). She was rushed to the emergency room where the doctor asked my parents why they didn't tell him Diabetes ran in our family? Both of my parents asked what Diabetes was? She never regained consciousness. 3 years later, I was born. At 3 days old, I went through the Glucose Tolerance Test and was fine. When I was 5 however, I started wetting the bed and my parents, having studied up on Diabetes suspected something was up. My mom took me to the doctor and asked him to test me. He said he would, especially considering the family history, but he really felt I was just nervous from starting school. Well, I was FULL of sugar and was admitted to the hospital that night. This was in September of 1963. Here in 2006, I am still going strong with no complications. The key is to keep your blood sugar count within the right specs, eat a sensible diet, and keep exercising. I am living proof that you can live a full life with Type 1 Diabetes!