Sam Bearman, 14, CO - I look like a normal kid...

You might think from looking at me that I don’t need a cure.  The only way you can tell I am diabetic is by looking at the scars on my fingertips.  Otherwise, I look like a normal kid. I play lacrosse, football, snowboard, mountain bike, and go to school.  But there is a lot that you don’t see.

I test my blood sugar at least 8 times a day.  I calculate the carbohydrates in everything I eat.  I am constantly adjusting my insulin based on blood sugar measurements, food and exercise.  I wear an insulin pump all the time, except during games.  I have to stop during games to test and eat and give myself shots.  I have to change my pump site every other day.  Sometimes my site fails in the middle of the night and my dad wakes me up to change it.  Every night, my parents get up and check my blood sugar so I’m not too high or low in the morning.

It is really frustrating because no matter what I do, I have high and low blood sugars. When my blood sugar is too high, my head pounds, the core of my body feels like it is on fire, and I could drink a gallon of cold water.  When my blood sugar is low, I usually feel shaky and if I don’t treat myself I might pass out.  I can’t focus on anything when I’m low.  You might think that people with diabetes just need insulin and shots.  I wish that was all there was to it.

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