For National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’d like to share another #T1DChampions story with you. We’d like to highlight Tyler Haldeman and his family for being incredibly passionate about fighting for a cure and managing the highs and lows of T1D like champions. Read below for Tyler’s story, written by his mom Amy.

Tyler’s Diagnosis:

Tyler was diagnosed in October 2008, when he was 8 years old. He had been complaining all week of a stomach ache and sore throat. We took him to the doctor to find out that he had strep throat. Before we left the office I mentioned that I had noticed he was going to the bathroom more than usual and drinking more water. The doctor decided to check his blood sugar. While we were waiting for the results, Tyler asked me if he was going to get a shot. I told him absolutely not. He wasn’t due for shots again until he turned 12. The doctor returned, looked at me, and said, ‘I am SO SORRY, Tyler has type 1 diabetes.’ I knew at that moment that he was going to need shots every day (after I just finished telling him there would be no shots), he would have to prick his finger and check his blood sugar several times a day, I knew that it was a life long disease, and I knew that life as we knew it was going to change. He sent us to the emergency room immediately. Tyler spent 3 days in the ICU.

Living with T1D:

We have learned that this disease is 24/7. You never get a break from counting carbs, checking blood sugar, giving insulin, treating highs, treating lows, worrying about your child over night, worrying about them in school, after school sports. Can they concentrate and focus at school? What if they get sick and can’t keep food down? What if they go low while driving? What happens when they’re in college?

We have experienced extreme lows and those are the scariest. Tyler has passed out in my arms, has been unable to speak or drink, and has had seizures from being so low.

“Tyler has passed out in my arms, has been unable to speak or drink, and has had seizures from being so low.”

It takes a very long time to recover from these instances. His blood glucose has been so high that he’s been unable to concentrate in class or focus and participate in sports. He failed his eye exam for his drivers permit due to high blood glucose.

T1D Technology Over the Years:

Technology over the past 11 years has definitely improved, but it also has its limitations. Tyler was on the first pump that had a partial closed loop system. When it was functioning properly it was amazing and maintained his blood glucose around 125.  This system also had some flaws and would go back to regular mode instead of auto mode several times a day and needed to be calibrated a lot. As a teenager, Tyler was not willing to keep up with the constant work to maintain it. He has struggled over his high school years with just being “tired”. Tired of checking his blood glucose, tired of giving insulin (even if it was just entered into a pump), tired of thinking about what he was eating ALL THE TIME, tired of having type 1 diabetes. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting. There is definitely better technology out there to help with a lot of these issues. He will soon be on the G6 continuous glucose monitor where he will not have to prick his finger to check his blood glucose.

Being Involved with JDRF

WE WILL WALK, WE WILL FIGHT, WE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES for more advancements or a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

“We will WALK. We will FIGHT. We will do WHATEVER IT TAKES for more advancements or a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D).”

Tyler is 19 years old and has had diabetes for 11 years! One would think it gets easier and you worry less. I’m here to tell you…the struggle is real EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. You cannot ever take a break from this disease! EVER! My biggest fear sending him to college was that he would have extremely low blood sugar over night and not be able to get up the next morning. Well…it happened just this past September when he had only been at school for a month.

He never got up for class because he couldn’t get up or move. He lives in an apartment style dorm so he has his own room where he can shut his door.  The bad part is..no one knows if you’re at class, sleeping, or if something is wrong.  We are INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL for his roommate, Griffin, who decided to open his door that evening when he realized there was definitely something wrong.  He called EMS and they took Tyler to the hospital. We have 18 hours unaccounted for. This terrifies me. The ER doctor said he most likely had a seizure, was dehydrated, and his brain was deprived of glucose so that is why he was so confused, extremely tired, completely unaware, and had a terrible headache.  If he didn’t have such an AMAZING roommate (who he met just 5 weeks before this incident) I could be telling a different story.

“The ER doctor said he most likely had a seizure, was dehydrated, and his brain was deprived of glucose so that is why he was so confused, extremely tired, completely unaware, and had a terrible headache.”

I don’t think people really realize how serious T1D can be. JDRF is one outstanding organization that does understand and continues to fund research for advancements to help those living with the disease live longer healthier happier lives and ultimately strives to find a cure!

WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR TYLER AND ALL THOSE LIVING WITH T1D!

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Thank you so much to the Haldeman family for sharing some of your families scariest moments with the community to help us spread awareness and show the world how truly difficult and serious type 1 diabetes can be. This story really shows the importance of having a support system by your side and the reasons why we fight for a cure for T1D.

Do you want to share your story with us? Please email Lindsey at Landerson@jdrf.org.