Jason A., Super Dude
Name: Jason A.
Status: Type 1
Diagnosis: June 1992
Hometown: NYC
Special members of Jason’s healthcare entourage:
In Jason’s words, ”mom Julie, who continues to be an advocate and relentless insurance company attacker; dad Alvard, who passed away in 1995, but set my diabetes straight from the start; and girlfriend Daphne, who does her best to keep me healthy; and Dr. Stanley Mirsky. In addition to being the best endocrinologist I’ve ever had and a wonderful human he told me a story once that stuck. He said ‘Jason, I had a patient who ran the marathon every year, never drank alcohol, ate vegetables and dropped dead at 48. I had another patient who was overweight, drinking scotch was his profession, and he smoked every day and ticked away till his late 90’s. The question for you to ponder is, how do you want to hedge your bets?’ The story is strange because one might think that being healthy is of no value since the healthy patient died so young. But it reminds me that I’m no Kreskin so to always hedge my bet towards health and happiness. Dr. Mirsky is also a great fundraiser and lifelong diabetes advocate.”
Motivating Mindset:
“Generally, diabetes never gets me down, just the normal stresses of work, friends and family. I have gone through three distinct phases. First was a terrified 12 year old who was sure he was going to lose a limb, drop dead or some combination of the two. Second was a rebel who thought of his diabetes as a burden that needed to be shown of how little importance it had. No testing, ate everything and once saw a doctor who almost forced me into Mt. Sinai. The third phase came 10 years ago. I still eat what I want, but check my sugar constantly. I’ve learned that exercise, healthy eating and taking care of my diabetes is the best possible solution because it creates a world where I don’t have diabetes. That is to say, I barely notice it.”
Click here to meet Jason on Divabetic’s Diva TalkRadio and hear him compete in Diabetes Numerology. Visit Jason’s blog, www.oursweetlife.info and support his fundraiser for Divabetic.
