Athletes with diabetes

[Father Demon]

My son got real sick last weekend, and we found out he had onset of Type 1 Diabetes while in the ER.  He and I stayed in the hospital all this past week, getting him healthy and getting Mom and me smart on how to manage this for him.  He's 10, so it's a little scary knowing that he will carry this for the rest of his life.

Part of his concern is that he can't continue in sports at any kind of serious level if he gets that good.  He's a good hockey player, and who knows how competitive a level he can play if he continues. 

My question -- who has the best Googling skills and finding a list of professional athletes that have Type 1 Diabetes?  So far, the only NHL player I can find is Nick Boynton with Boston.  Anyone?

[PhillyGirl]

BOBBY CLARKE!!

[PhillyGirl]

Check out this site:

http://www.diabetes-exercise.org/index.asp

and this one:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/dteam/1998-12/d_0d_3d2.htm

and this:

http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-hockey/stories/030205aaa.html

Sorry about the news...but all you have to do is tell him about Bobby Clarke and I promise he'll feel a LOT better.

[PhillyGirl]

This article also has athletes with diabetes:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1283821&type=story

[Father Demon]

PG -- 

We'll be checking out those sites tomorrow!

(PS -- He's a Blues fan, but he'll still appreciate since the Flyers are #2 to him!)

[Sgt PSN]

Damn, sorry to hear about your kid man.  Diabetes sucks but I suppose Type 1 is the "best" kind to get.  I've got a couple friends with diabetes.  One has type 1 the other has type 3.  Both have been medically discharged from the Marines.

But my friend that has type 1 diabetes works as a firefighter and prison guard.  Both jobs are physically demanding but do-able with type 1. 

Unfortunately for my friend with type 3, he'll probably be dead in 5 years or so. 

So the good news is that your kid should be able to do just about anything he wants......except join the military.  Sports shouldn't be a problem for him at all.  He's going to have to be alot more careful about what he eats/drinks now but for the most part he should be able to enjoy a very normal and physically active lifestyle. 

[MDS]

If he turns out to make fun of dolts like the Lindors' in public, he will do good.

[Father Demon]

I didn't think about him not being able to get in the military...  that sucks.   I'm a big proponent that a lot of people need to be in the military to grow up a bit, and get themselves on the right track.  I was one of them, and from the looks of things, my son would have been one, too.

But, thanks for the thoughts.  This was a scary week (he was almost comatose when we took him in), but things have progressed a great deal since the weekend.  He's eating and playing like normal now, and he's pretty good with all the shots so far.

[NGM]

Just stay positive and tell him he has no limits.  It is very important for him to not feel like he is different or less than any other kid because he certainly is not.  We got you Demon and best of luck with little Sidney Crosby.   

[Geowhizzer]

PG already mentioned Bobby Clarke.  Ron Santo, the third baseman for the Cubs, also was a diabetic.

Here's a few more sources and articles:

http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_resources/idaa.php

http://www.mendosa.com/athletes.htm

http://kids.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=7DF664C9-2A5E-7B6E-1D176E2BDB0852FC

The last one is from the juvenile diabetes research foundation.  That website may be of help to you generally,  not just in regards to your son's athletics.

Good luck to you and your son, Demon.  My prayers are with you.

[mussa]

sorry to hear that and best of luck with everything demon 

[Susquehanna Birder]

Hang in there DemonchildrenOnTurf. I know exactly where you are coming from. My daughter was diagnosed at age 3 (she's 19 and in college now). If you want some insight from an old pro, send me a PM or something.

As far as athletics goes, my kid was in recreational softball for a good 10 years. Early on it was a little interesting trying to keep her in control during games, but I had volunteered to help with the teams, and I (or the wife) was always nearby to make sure she was doing okay.

Have you looked into an insulin pump? I'm pretty sure he would be able to wear one while playing hockey...

[Zanshin]

Good luck with everything; it'll work out.

[mcnabbmvp]

Damn, sorry to hear about your kid man.  Diabetes sucks but I suppose Type 1 is the "best" kind to get.  I've got a couple friends with diabetes.  One has type 1 the other has type 3.  Both have been medically discharged from the Marines.

But my friend that has type 1 diabetes works as a firefighter and prison guard.  Both jobs are physically demanding but do-able with type 1. 

Unfortunately for my friend with type 3, he'll probably be dead in 5 years or so. 

So the good news is that your kid should be able to do just about anything he wants......except join the military.  Sports shouldn't be a problem for him at all.  He's going to have to be alot more careful about what he eats/drinks now but for the most part he should be able to enjoy a very normal and physically active lifestyle. 

Actually type 2 diabetes is the one to have.

type 1 is when you take insulin shots and stuff
type 2 is when you diet and excercise or take drugs
type 3 is for pregnant women is called Gestational diabetes


i have type 2 thank god.

[Susquehanna Birder]

No offense, but if you had a choice, you'd have none of them. It's not like you're lucky to get any one of them.

(My wife would get really pissed when people, trying to offer comforting words, would say something like, "Well at least it's not cancer or something.")