On a cold evening in January of 2016, my husband and I sat cheering on our 12-year-old son Gavin as he played in a basketball game. Despite feeling under the weather for the past few weeks, he played his heart out that evening. Little did we know that within 48 hours his life would be turned upside down and his passion for sports tested.

In the weeks leading up to Gavin’s diagnosis, he had complained of stomach aches, extreme tiredness, was irritable, and losing weight.  We had chalked it up to his busy sports schedule, a growth spurt, a case of the flu, and the hectic holiday season. But when he passed out at school one day, the doctors discovered he was actually in DKA with a blood sugar well over 700. That is a day our family will never forget and the day my son joined the ranks of four other family members who already live with the disease.

Gavin had to learn how his body worked, understand how certain foods, temperatures, and mostly importantly to him, how physical activity affected him. So began a journey that would lead Gavin to understand how to monitor his blood glucose levels during games and practices, monitor his carbohydrate intake pre and post activity, and adjust basal rates. These skills were intimidating at first, but with a strong support system Gavin learned how to handle the physical demands of the sports he loves.

For Gavin, exercise if the key to successfully managing his T1D, but he is also thankful for technology like his CGM and insulin pump for providing him the freedom to do what he loves. In addition, T1D has ignited a fire within Gavin that drives him to prove more than ever that he can do and accomplish anything he sets his mind to on the sports field and in life. Whether playing in a baseball or basketball game, Gavin hopes to inspire others to continue in the sports they love, to keep a positive attitude and to never back down when life throws you a curve ball.