Former NFL Player Known as a Diabetologist: Former NFL player Jay Leeuwenburg played the sport while living with Type 1 diabetes. He refused to let his disease get in the way of his dreams. He provides inspirational encouragement in his book, “Yes I Can! Yes You Can! Tackle Diabetes and Win!” co written with Denny Dressman.
Leeuwenburg’s website YesICanYesYouCan.com provides an opportunity to purchase the book and related materials, but it also provides some great tips for families and schools who deal with diabetes. While the information is abridged here you can find more tips at Leeuwenburg’s website.
Remember this advice was written for athletes who have Type 1 diabetes.
For the athlete
1. Educate
Educate yourself to the signs and symptoms of insulin reactions. Know the first signs and each progressive sign as they change your body and thoughts.
2. Anticipate
Know the activity you are engaged in, and know when the problems may arise before they occur.
3. Hydrate
Dehydration can not only lead to physical problems but also result in false blood glucose readers of higher numbers. Dehydration can often be misunderstood as high blood sugars (the symptoms of dehydration and extreme high blood sugars are very similar).
4. Use Restraint
Don’t overreact. A blood sugar of 200 is just fine. It is much safer to have slightly elevated sugars than to constantly fight lows throughout the activity. KNOW YOUR BODY!
5. Communicate
Tell someone else what is gong on. Tell a coach, a trainer or a teammate that you need to treat your sugar low.
For Teacher/coaches
1. Know who your diabetics are.
Don’t wait until the diabetic student in your classroom, or diabetic athlete on your team, is having a low blood sugar to find out they are diabetic. It’s okay to ask.
2. Have a plan for lows.
In the classroom, decide on a plan before your student has a low. Decide if it is okay to eat in the classroom. If not, where can they eat?
3. Don’t eat the food!
Emergency food is Off Limits to everyone, including diabetic students or athletes – unless they are low.
4. Check and replenish supplies.
Restock before you run out completely.
5. Know the signs of hypoglycemia.
Just because you may have taught or coached a diabetic in the past, don’t think they are all the same.
6. Have a plan for treating high sugars.
Know or find out if your diabetic student or athlete gives their own shots. Remember, you are not the doctor. But at times children need extra insulin.
7. Make the student/athlete part of the process.
It is not up to the teacher or coach to manage their student’s or athlete’s diabetes. It is the diabetic’s responsibility to identify lows. The teacher or coach is the diabetic’s support.
For Parents
1. Create a diabetic family.
Encourage everyone in your family to accept diabetes as a part of everyday life.
2. Have a schedule!
You don’t have to have everything at the same time every day, but meals especially help if they are at a consistent time.
3. Always have emergency food handy.
As an adult, never forget to have some fast-acting food ready for your child in case he or she is having a low blood sugar.
4. Don’t overreact, especially to high sugars.
Use blood tests as a tool, not to “catch” your diabetic child sneaking extra food.
5. Slowly give your child more responsibility.
Depending on your child’s age and their maturity level, start making them aware and responsible for their own care.
6. Let your child make mistakes, and help them learn from them.
Talk to your diabetic child about the choices they make and how those choices affect their body.
7. Don’t treat your diabetic child differently.
If your diabetic child is out of line, call them on it. If they do a good job, praise them. But don’t give extra praise just because the child has diabetes.
(Source: YesICanYesYouCan.com)
