High school students have a range of responsibilities everyday, but only a few must deal with a responsibility that is able to change their lives at any and every second. This is a medical condition that they must live with: diabetes.

“I am used to it, but I have to think about it all the time because anything that I do can affect my diabetes,” said sophomore Briana Kelly.

When the body digests food, it converts that food to blood sugar or glucose. As levels of glucose rise, the pancreas is signaled to release the hormone insulin. This insulin “unlocks” the body’s cells, allowing glucose to enter and be converted to energy. Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not produce insulin or does not use it properly.

When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can starve cells for energy. Over time, high glucose levels may damage organs and body systems, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

There are two types of diabetes. Most of the students at the high school have Type 1, which is formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes. This is when the body’s immune system destroys the cells that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes primarily strikes children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes is mostly diagnosed in adults.

“Students with Type 1 diabetes need to test their blood three to four times a day,” said Nurse Mary Jennison. “All the diabetic students have a care plan from their doctor. Insulin is delivered in a pen-like object, which is the shot. A student can either receive a shot or use a pump, which mimics the pancreas, and can also allow the student to move.”

Junior Danny Gianfelice has had diabetes for almost thirteen years now and uses a pump, but says he doesn’t mind. “The diabeeper matches my eyes and babes are into that,” said Gianfelice. The “diabeeper” is the pump and he has to sleep with it on.

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms seem relatively harmless: frequent urination, excessive thirst, unusual weight loss, or increased fatigue.

Jennison’s son, Michael, attended the high school and was diagnosed with diabetes when he was a freshman. “There are simple symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and being hungry that you don’t think anything of. But I knew something was wrong when he drank a whole gallon of milk one day,” said Jennison.

Gianfelice’s mother noticed that his behavior was different just as Jennison had with her son. “I was [urinating] a lot and mother was concerned,” said Gianfelice.

For Kelly, her diabetes was first discovered when her uncle noticed that she looked different. “My uncle came over one day and told my mom I didn’t look good, so she took me to the doctors,” she said. “The doctor tested me and told me I had diabetes and they sent me to another doctor.”

These diabetic students have to take extra care of themselves when they are going to play sports. “Eating correctly and working out plays a huge role in staying crisis-free when you have diabetes,” said Jennison.

Gianfelice, who plays on varsity hockey, must keep a constant awareness about his blood level. His pump is set at a constant rate to pump the insulin into his blood and depending on his activity he adjusts it “I have to take it off during hockey, during the period between 2nd and 3rd when the ice is being changed so I can make necessary adjustments,” Gianfelice said.

Kelly must be careful just as Gianfelice, because she plays basketball. “I have to make sure before I go to practice or have a game that I'm not on the low side. I have to adjust my insulin during the day so my blood sugar level doesn’t get low while I’m playing,” Kelly said. “I have to eat according to the type of exercise I did during the day because I also have to make sure my blood level is alright when I’m sleeping.

Even though both constantly watch their blood levels, it is still hard for them to avoid a diabetic crisis, which is known as being one of the scariest parts of having diabetes.

“I have had two or three diabetic crises,” said Gianfelice. “I have to go to the hospital because I have seizures. I shake, drool, and wake up looking at paramedics trying to give me frosting.”

Kelly said that she didn’t remember anything from when she had a crisis. “I ended up being low in the middle of the night and I was fighting against my parents because I didn’t want to eat. They had to force me,” said Kelly.

“When my son had a diabetic crisis, he was acting like he was drunk or drugged,” said Jennison. “He had no clue what he was doing, and he doesn’t remember a thing. We gave him a shot of glucagons, which works on his blood level in five minutes.”

Diabetes is considered a serious disease, and changes lifestyle. Students are actively managing it by monitoring blood sugar levels, planning balanced meals, exercising, getting regular check-ups, working with diabetic professionals, and possibly taking medication. Although they must control their blood sugar, they don’t allow it to control their lives.

“I can’t imagine life without diabetes because I am so used to it. I can’t compare living with diabetes to anything because I always have had it,” said Gianfelice. “But if you don’t want the ‘betes, eat your Wheaties!”