Less than a decade ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The first several years with the disease were no problem. I checked my blood sugars daily — sometimes twice — took a couple of pills and did my own thing.
Things have changed in the past few months: I now check my blood sugars five or six times a day; I inject myself with insulin an equal number of times each day; and I’m ready to take the next step — using an insulin pump.
My story is similar to millions of Americans'. The American Diabetes Association estimates at least 30 million adults have Type 2 diabetes, which attacks middle-age adults. With the epidemic of childhood obesity, there’s a surge in the number of young people with Type 1 diabetes.
I know a few local athletes who have dealt with diabetes. Playing a game is hard enough, but managing blood sugars and insulin, and all the other details that go with diabetes, makes it even more difficult.
I have a hard enough time coping with diabetes as an adult. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to play high school football or run track with the disease.
And yet, diabetics are some of the most accomplished athletes. Hall of Fame baseball players Ron Santo and Jackie Robinson had diabetes. Current Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler also has the disease.
I guess once you’ve battled diabetes, taking on a linebacker or battling for a loose ball is small potatoes.
Soon, I will write a story about local athletes, past and present, who have dealt with diabetes while playing sports. I’ll even throw it open to the middle-age weekend warrior who might have his or her diabetic challenges on the golf course, tennis courts or softball field.
I hope to help remove stigmas that might still be out there.
Diabetes isn’t for the faint of heart, but with the right lifestyle changes it doesn’t have to control our lives.
This year, I plan to take better control of my diabetes. I have a great team of coaches in Deanna Howard-Gonzalez and Pat Fletcher at the Northwest Florida Diabetes and Nutrition Center.
I'll talk with other medical professionals so they can alert parents and adults to the early warning signs.
If we can help or inspire one or two people in their diabetes journey, the effort will be worthwhile.
Email Sports Editor Randy Dickson, randyd@crestviewbulletin.com, to share your story about coping with diabetes as an athlete.
Your story could appear in a story he's working on about sport-related challenges associated with the disease.
SEEKING SOURCES
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: Calling all North Okaloosa athletes with diabetes