As the 3rd ranked U.S. discus thrower, and 12th in the world, 27 year-old, Adam Kuehl, has not let Type 1 diabetes stop him from working to achieve his goals.

Adam was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 14 years ago, as a teenager. Always an athlete, it made him work even harder to maintain a seriously active lifestyle and he was determined to not let diabetes take control. In 2006, Adam began using an Animas insulin pump to help him better manage his diabetes, and hasn’t looked back ever since.

Adam discovered his discus throwing talent early on, and began training fiercely throughout his college years at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has competed and placed annually at the USA Nationals in Eugene, OR, was a Team Alternate for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is a 5-time NCAA All-American.

Today, Adam is carrying on his Olympic training regime (while wearing the pump!) and is also continuing his education as well as working as a strength and conditioning coach at a Division 1 University.. Despite a vigorous schedule AND diabetes, with the help of his OneTouch® Ping®, Adam is on track to pursuing his goal of qualifying for the next Olympic Games.

Adam is also actively involved in the diabetes community and hopes to empower other athletes living with diabetes to not let this condition get in their way. He frequently participates in JDRF walks and is a youth role model who spends time providing support to newly diagnosed children.

“I enjoy sharing my story with other children and young adults to relay the message that you can still achieve your dreams, and live a normal life despite living with diabetes.”

Keep an eye out for Adam as he proves that even diabetes can’t stand in the way of Olympic dreams. In the meantime, check out Adam in action during these TV interviews: CBS-Arizona and CBS – Oregon.

Holly Camp is a high school student, and the bass player of her local teen rock band, Noize from the Basement.

Holly was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 5, yet is able to manage “the stage” with the help of an Animas insulin pump, which she has been using for six years now. While performing, Holly is able to keep the pump under her clothing before a show, and not have to worry about pulling it out to give herself insulin throughout her performance.

Now at the age of 15, Holly, and her band have already released two albums, most recently a CD called, “Birds’ Eye View” and are putting on shows to spread awareness about the danger of teen violence and bullying, which many of their songs speak to. After starting the band in 2008, Noize has not only played many local venues, fairs and diabetes events, but they have written nearly 20 original songs which can be found on iTunes.

Despite diabetes, Holly and her band have had two exciting years including a title win at a Battle of the Bands competition and headlining opportunities for several events including the Tri-C High School Rock-Off Semi Finals at the House of Blues, and a West Coast tour called the “No Bully Tour!”

Holly is a true inspiration to young adults, dealing not only with a chronic condition like diabetes, but also with Celiac and Grave’s disease, as well – or as Holly puts it, “I’m what you’d call a triple threat.”

Holly notes that the pump technology gives her a much greater sense of control over her diabetes, and her life, especially with the hand-held remote allowing her to adjust the amount of insulin she's getting.

"Music has definitely been a good thing for me emotionally, because that's all I think about when I'm on stage. With my pump, I don't have to worry 'what if my sugar drops and I pass out on stage’?"

Check out this feature article from ABC Cleveland where Holly shares her story, and Noize’s first official music video for their song, “Gotta Get Away.”

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a four year old boy named Luke Turner was diagnosed with diabetes. Now at the wise old age of 8, Luke is well-versed in how to manage his disease and frequently provides positive advice to other kids living with diabetes.

Luke manages his diabetes with OneTouch® Ping® and thinks it’s pretty cool that his friends mistake his pump for an iPod or video game. But he is quick to point out that his OneTouch® Ping® is not a toy but really an important part of who he is, just a normal kid living with Type 1 diabetes.

“I am proud to show my friends my pump, and the special spy belt bag I wear to protect it,” Luke says. “I tell my friends that I’m just a normal kid with a special tool to help me take care of my diabetes.”

With the help of his parents, over the past four years, Luke has learned to check his own blood glucose levels throughout the day and night.

 

This past summer, thanks in part to his parents’ diligence and the pump, Luke was able to attend his local summer camp and participate in all the activities without any worries. Luke is a very active young boy, and enjoys anything from rock climbing and sledding to horseback riding and water sports.

Like many 8-year-old boys, Luke loves Star Wars and loves to play with his Star Wars Legos. According to his mom, he may have a budding career in set design as he builds elaborate movie-themed sets to play the part of a Jedi. When he puts his light saber away, Luke also enjoys gymnastics class, reading, and swimming – all while wearing his OneTouch® Ping®.

Before starting on the pump, Luke struggled to keep up with other kids his age. He was home-schooled throughout pre-school and early elementary because his district couldn’t provide full-time nurses to help him with checking his blood glucose and administering insulin. Now, because the pump gives Luke better control over his diabetes, he is able to attend elementary school where he recently began second grade..

Luke’s parents are so proud of all the big challenges their little boy has overcome. Luke’s Mom explains, “As a parent, you want only the very best for your child and hearing a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes was devastating.” She continues, “But once we found control with the OneTouch® Ping®, we were thrilled to see Luke experiencing all the joys of childhood without limitations.”