Having type 1 diabetes involves ongoing care but does not have to hold you back from living a full and happy life. From rock stars to judges to olypians, there are many famous people who have type 1diabetes. Discover 4 well-known people with type 1 diabetes who have achieved great success.
- If you want to be a rock star, type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to get in the way. Bret Michaels is the lead singer for the rock band Poison. During his successful music career, Michaels sold more than 25 million records with 15 Top 40 singles including “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Now his work has expanded into writing, acting, directing and producing films. Michaels also appeared in his own reality television show, “Rock of Love.” When he won the show, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” Michaels donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the American Diabetes Association. This renowned musician was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 6. He takes 4 insulin injections daily and tests his blood sugar 8 times each day. Another musician with type 1 diabetes is Nick Jonas, who was diagnosed at the age of 13. He encourages fans to never get down about having diabetes. His positive attitude reinforces that it doesn’t have to be so hard with diabetes.
- Actress Mary Tyler Moore proves adults can get type 1 diabetes, too. The Emmy Award-winning actress was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 30 after being hospitalized following a miscarriage. She is known best for her years on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and has appeared in countless other movies and TV shows. Moore actively promotes diabetes research and was the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Another famous woman with diabetes is novelist Ann Rice, known for penning many vampire novels. Both women take several daily insulin injections to help manage their type 1 diabetes.
- People with type 1 diabetes also become accomplished athletes. Olympic swimmer, Gary Hall, Jr., won his first individual gold medal just one year after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He took home the gold again the following year for the 50-meter freestyle race. Hall’s Foundation for Diabetes supports cure-focused research. Hall is also the spokesperson for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI). At a recent fundraiser he let people know that diabetes does not have to stand between you and your dreams.
- You can even become a judge when you have type 1 diabetes. Justice Sonia Sotomayer was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 8 years old. When she was nominated for the Supreme Court in 2009 some people questioned whether her condition would impact her ability to serve. Sotomayer went from living in a public housing project as a child to studying at prestigious universities such as Yale and Princeton then wound up sitting on the highest court in the nation. After being nominated, Sotomayer indicated she was an ordinary person who was blessed with extraordinary experiences and opportunities.
These famous people prove having type 1 diabetes does not have to hold you back from doing what you really want. Test your blood sugars regularly, take medications as prescribed and use a blood pressure monitor at home. Share the results with your diabetes health care team to ensure your diabetes self-management plan is always on track then live your life to its fullest.
Leave A Comment