Age: 48 Year Diagnosed: 1989 Location: Los Angeles, Ca
“Diabetes has impacted my life I’m so many ways. When I was first diagnosed, I was embarrassed, ashamed, depressed and even suicidal.
I was diagnosed a month after graduating from high school. I had the best senior year that anyone could dream of.
I was the captain of the football team, prom King, voted “Best athlete,” very popular, ladies man, scholar/athlete awards, athletic scholarship (football).
I was the most confident man alive and diabetes stripped that all from me. I felt I was damaged and broken. I hid it from everyone while in college. I even hid it from my coaches. I almost passed out at practice from a low blood sugar but managed to make it back to my dorm to some orange juice. I never felt good about myself after that day I was diagnosed. Diabetes beat me up mentally and physically.
At the end of the semester, I wanted to drop out of college. I had a sit down talk with my mother. I explained that this was too much and hard for me to deal with. I told her I didn’t have a role model that had diabetes and played football. My mother looked at me and said “why don’t you be that role model?” My mother knew that I was a competitor and knew I loved a good challenge. I just needed it to be presented that way. From that day on, I decided I was going to be the best Diabetic I could be. I got my motivation and confidence back. I stooped being ashamed of my diabetes and became ONE with it. I started using it as motivation. It’s taught me structure, discipline, focus, awareness and that there isn’t too much difference in what a non-diabetic suppose to do In living a healthy life style. I just look at it as I’m more in tune with my body and health than the average person. Today, I’m the healthy I’ve ever due to my diabetes.
After graduating from college, I’ve went on to became an actor, personal training and motivational speaker for people living with diabetes.
It’s nothing more rewarding than speaking with my fellow diabetic brothers and sisters and being able to be that role model I always wanted for me. I love my experience though all this and wouldn’t change anything In the world”