Keith, 16, says he avoids |
A former JDRF Children's Congress delegate in 2001, 16-year-old Keith has had juvenile (type 1) diabetes since he was 10. He says his diabetes care routine "got old" quickly. Every day he draws blood 10 different times to check his blood sugar levels, adjusts his insulin pump, and watches everything he eats and does. Since there are no "days off" from diabetes, this can get pretty stressful.
Like most kids with diabetes, Keith says he can be overwhelmed by the disease and the constant attention it demands. "It's just depressing... that's the best word I can think of," he says. "It's hard."
Most experts and teens agree that despite the inevitable bad days that come with diabetes, there are several ways to avoid "diabetes burnout," while the search for a cure continues to bring promising news that adds fuel to the hope that a cure will be found in our lifetimes.
Keith volunteers for JDRF and shares this hope with the younger kids he works with. JDRF's mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. As a "Junior Ambassador" for JDRF's Georgia Chapter, Keith serves as a role model to other kids, making appearances at Chapter events such as the annual gala and golf tournament.
In addition, Keith's mom, Jill, is the Chapter Public Outreach Chair and speaks to all of the local newly diagnosed families. Keith then talks to many of the newly diagnosed kids, either by phone or by email.
"I think what keeps him 'going' most is helping the younger kids," Jill says. "He shows them how he gives injections, or does an (insulin pump) site change and helps them with boluses if they're 'pumpers'. He does public speaking about type 1 whenever possible," she adds, "and I believe that has given him some power over the disease."
Indeed, Keith told the Connecting with Kids Network that just being around the kids and being able to help them out is empowering and rewarding.
Another way that Keith avoids the 'gloom and doom' of diabetes is just by staying active and doing the things he enjoys. He and his father go scuba diving and sailing, and Keith is a lifeguard. Keith also just got a car and is happy to be driving, although he has to be diligent to check his blood sugar every time he is about to get behind the wheel, which tends to cramp his style. "It's not fun," he says.
Overall, Keith and his parents try to focus on the positives and don't see him as being that much different from other teenagers.
