SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.
It’s a time to educate, advocate and inspire those affected by the disease.
One student-athlete at Notre Dame is proving that diabetes doesn’t define his limits.
Nicholas Hahne is a cheerleader at Notre Dame who actively competes and travels while monitoring his Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition he’s been living with since being diagnosed at 10 years old.
One student-athlete at Notre Dame is proving that diabetes doesn’t define his limits (Nicholas Hahne Photo).
Type 1 diabetes is always challenging. And so the more support you have, the better you can be,” said Nicolas Hahne, Notre Dame athlete with Type 1 diabetes.
Growing up, he said that he even had the misconception that it meant he was unhealthy or that he was doing something wrong in his life.
When I was diagnosed, one of the main things the hospital emphasized was that this is just something you’re going to have to regulate throughout the rest of your life. And so they emphasize that it’s okay to be a normal kid. They want you to do athletics. They want you to do everything. You just have to be prepared with type one diabetes as well,” said Hahne.
There’s a difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells, and, like genetics, it can cause the disease.
With Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors like being overweight can cause someone to build insulin resistance.
One student-athlete at Notre Dame is proving that diabetes doesn’t define his limits (WSBT Photo).
Nearly 2 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, including about 300,000 children and adolescents, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Hahne said that new technology has allowed him to better monitor his glucose levels.
I have a Dexcom G7, which constantly monitors my glucose levels. And then it also sends my glucose levels to my phone, which will then send it on the Dexcom Follow App to my mom, to my dad, to some of my friends, and my coach if I need. I’m so glad it’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, because I think awareness really brings advocacy in the end,” said Hahne.
One student-athlete at Notre Dame is proving that diabetes doesn’t define his limits (WSBT Photo).
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Hahne also spreads awareness for Type 1 diabetes through his social media accounts and said that more awareness and conversations lead to more advocacy.
