Breakthrough T1D recently sat down with some of this year’s Dexcom U athletes to talk about managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) while playing competitive sports in college. Watch the full event:
The group kicked off the discussion by sharing what drew them to their respective sports. Amber started playing pee-wee soccer as a child and never stopped! “I’ve been playing my whole life, I love it,” she said.
Bryce has been a baseball fan for as long as he can remember: “I loved watching players growing up and I always had a love for the game.” In high school, he realized he wanted to take that passion to the next level and play in college.
Jessica’s older sister inspired her to start playing softball when she was 5 years old. “It gave me a great outlet to explore a different, competitive side of myself,” she said.
Overcoming Challenges
The Dexcom U athletes admitted that playing college-level sports with T1D is an added challenge but one that makes you stronger. For Amber, being on the soccer field or the running track requires planning. “My number has to be good before the whistle blows so I can be at my best, mentally and physically,” she said. “I have to figure out how to eat enough carbs but not spike, in conjunction with the adrenaline rush of playing.”
Advocating for yourself as an athlete with T1D is also critical to success both on and off the field. “Sharing and educating coaches and teammates is really important,” Bryce said. “Everyone has different things they go through, and everyone respects it.”
The athletes’ different approaches to their sport show that T1D is not a one-size-fits-all condition, even for go-to low blood sugar snacks. Bryce’s preferred snack to bring up his glucose number? “A stack of cookies.” For Amber, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is what she reaches for when her blood sugar is low. And for Jessica, it’s candy or peanut butter crackers. “Find what works for you,” Jessica said. “Whatever your best is, that’s what matters.”
Starting forward (soccer) and steeplechaser (track and field) at the University of Louisville
No Limits
One thing all three Dexcom U athletes agree on? The importance of not letting T1D stand in the way of your goals and passions.
“It’s going to be hard, a lot harder than it is for others,” Amber said. “But if you embrace the challenge, it gives you a deeper purpose and helps you get to know yourself at a whole different level.”
“Don’t let your T1D define you,” Jessica said. “If you can play college-level sports with T1D, there really isn’t anything you can’t do!”
The Breakthrough T1D and Dexcom partnership, established in 2007, aims to work together to empower people to take control of their diabetes.
Dexcom U is the only NIL program dedicated to supporting college athletes with diabetes. Through awareness and education, Dexcom U looks to raise up all athletes battling diabetes and give our athletes a platform to inspire others in the community. Learn more at https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/dexcomu.
