I have always been very active. It was 2015, and I was 11 years old, we had just finished a very busy summer here in Rhode Island at the beach, swimming and boating. Then back to school brought fall and flag football. This was a great year for me. We had a great team, all of my friends, great athletes and my dad as the Coach. We were not only a good team but we had so much fun. As a team we signed up for a big New England tournament and we practiced a lot to get ready. (As I write this, I think back, this is probably what kept me out of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)) One morning, I woke up and told my mother that I had woken up three times that night to go to the bathroom and each time drank four mini cups of water. My Mom, who is a nurse, said she can’t ignore these symptoms and would be in touch with the doctor. She spoke with the doctor who said “bring him in after school, we will dip his urine and ease your nerves”. After school we stopped at the office and instead of easing our nerves, we were headed up to Hasbro Children’s Hospital where we spent the next three days admitted leaning about type 1 diabetes (T1D) and my new diagnosis.

I am one of three children and as a family we agreed that we were not going to let this diagnosis change our lives. We decided to make life with T1D our “new normal”. We all worked as a team to keep life as normal as it was. We did make it to the flag football tournament that weekend and we took home the huge trophy that still sits in my bedroom—we won!

I am currently a three season, varsity sport, high school senior. I am the captain of my football team and the starting quarterback. As part of my senior project, I am working to educate kids with T1D on how important staying active is in diabetes blood sugar management. Through the years I have learned how each sport affects my numbers and how I feel playing each sport. I have realized that when my number is within normal range, I perform better as an athlete and my mind is clearer and I feel better. I have also realized how much movement and activity can positively affect my numbers and keep them where I want them. My A1C was over 12 at diagnosis and is now 6.4.

JDRF has been a huge part of my life since diagnosis. I’ve been a JDRF One Walk V1P for multiple years in a row. What a great event, my whole family took part and loved it. As part of my senior project, I am working with JDRF and hosting a fundraiser for them at my football team’s home Thanksgiving Day Football Game at URI. It will be a great day in November which is also National Diabetes Awareness Month…. now all we need is the WIN!

-Rian O’Rourke

To learn more about Rian’s senior project fundraiser or to donate, please visit http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/RianORourke.