Over the next few months we will be featuring stories on kids within our community doing amazing things despite Type 1 Diabetes.  Guest contributor, Paul Willems, a recent grad from University Wisconsin- Milwaukee recently got in touch with Spencer Faulkes, a student athlete at New London High School and 2018-2019 JDRF Youth Ambassador. They discussed not only his diagnosis and experience as a Youth Ambassador with JDRF, but his own advice to those who are looking for ways to manage their diabetes while also playing sports. After all, that is something that can be a difficult task even for athletes who compete at the highest level, much less high school. Paul’s Q and A with Spencer is below:

 

Q: At what point in your life were you diagnosed?

 

SF: January 1st 2009, I was in the first grade. I didn’t feel well, I was constantly wetting the bed and going to the bathroom. I was getting angry and jittery. One night my mom decided to take me in. They diagnosed me with Type One Diabetes that night. Overall, it would be rough getting T1D at any age, but being so young I had no idea what was going on. It was rough, I couldn’t control what was happening and to this day I still can’t control what is happening. I couldn’t snack or eat whatever and when I was around my pals and they could eat whatever they wanted and I was hungry….it was tough. I felt like I couldn’t do this.  I saw my friends and they were without shots and finger pricks. I felt like T1D was going to change me and not for the better. But with the help of my family and friends, they helped me realize you have to stay positive.

 

Q: How have you managed your diabetes along with sports since your diagnosis?

 

SF: Managing diabetes within sports is one of the hardest things I’ve experienced. I have to stay hydrated before, during and after practice and games. Even though you are supposed to do that, you really have to with diabetes. One way your numbers can shoot up to crazy highs and then drop extremely low and either way, you can’t play. That really is the most challenging part of diabetes. Mentally it can get to you and makes you very angry.

 

Q: How have your coaches and teammates helped you along the way?

 

SF: My coaches and teammates are nothing but great when it comes to my diabetes. They understand whenever I need to do something whether I have to sit out and have a juice box or have to just leave. Over my years in sports my teammates grew to understand T1D more and more.

 

Q: What are some tips you have for those playing sports who may have been diagnosed recently?

 

SF: If I were to give one tip out to someone recently diagnosed playing sports it would be, just spread the word. Even if you don’t play sports it’s the biggest thing you can do. It is needed, because if you pass out, they need to know. If you’re wobbling around, they need to know. For your safety just let others know. It’s not that big of a deal, people need to know.

 

Q: What have been some of your experiences in being a youth ambassador through JDRF?

 

SF: My experience being a youth ambassador has really opened my eyes to see that other people go through what I do daily. Spreading awareness really makes a difference. Meeting new people from kids to adults, type one diabetics all go through struggles. Being an ambassador helps me be able to spread the word. It makes me happy that I’ve been able to help JDRF and the overall T1D community, including myself. I’ve met some great people through the organization and learned more than I could imagine. I hope I can keep helping anyone I possibly could.

 

With his attitude towards this disease since his diagnosis in 2009 as well as the various work in raising awareness of Type One Diabetes, we at JDRF are happy to have Spencer representing the organization as one of our many Youth Ambassadors.