Jay Cutler: Welcome to the club

November 19, 9:19 PMDenver Diabetes ExaminerTyler McNally

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Type 1 doesn't slow down #6  (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Part 1:

May 1, 2008, Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler announced that he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and nervous Denver football fans held their collective breath. “Ain’t that the sugar disease?” many of the less educated fans would ask fellow concerned citizens. But the more serious question on everyone’s mind was, “How will this affect his play?”

I for one was of the minority of Denverites jumping for joy when I found out that a local celebrity was diagnosed with a chronic and commonly misunderstood disease. Why was I so happy you ask? (If the title of Denver Diabetes Examiner isn’t obvious enough.)

August 17, 1997, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Of course, I didn’t make the announcement at a press conference to a gaggle of journalists looking for the scoop. It was just my parents, my brothers, me. Hardly the support of entire city.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the most prime stage of awkwardness I could ask for, age 13! I was overweight with long hair, and often mistaken for a girl. Yes. Awkward. Quite.

When I was diagnosed on that fateful day 11 years ago, I was given the most important ultimatum in my life. I could slough off the responsibility onto my parents to control my disease for me or I could take the reins myself, manage my disease day to day and ensure that my health was a top priority. Scattered between day-to-day diabetes management, not unlike Mr. Cutler, I played sports: soccer, ice hockey, golf, water skiing.

Like millions of other overlooked Americans coping with this potentially debilitating disease, I refused to see it as a handicap, but rather as an inspiration. I knew I had to be that much more vigilant about my health than my teammates. I had to be that much more dedicated. I can’t say I enjoyed the minor daily frustrations that a high blood sugar brings on, but I have always looked at my disease as an opportunity rather than a weakness.

More to come on Jay Cutler! 

 Related Links:

Diabetes and Technology- A Medical Breakthrough

November is American Diabetes Month