Diabetes & Celiac: Being A Double Disease Athlete
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7/19/2011 |
Holly Hopwood stays healthy by counting carbohydrates, timing meals, and keeping track of what she eats. Not only is she a very active 12-year-old, but she is at the activity level of a professional athlete. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, this Morgan Hill, CA girl isn’t slowing down for her hockey career as she plays for the San Jose Junior Sharks where she’s won the national hockey title.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Holly is among the 0.26 percent of Americans under 20 with diabetes. Fortunately, there is a way to manage both an active lifestyle and having diabetes. Holly, who was first diagnosed with the condition at the age of 6, doesn’t let her illness stand her way! With the help of her family, Holly has developed and maintained a system to keep her blood-sugar at a healthy, safe level.
Holly also monitors her glucose levels up to 12 times a day, to ensure she is on track. She uses a programmable wireless pump to monitor her insulin. The device is sophisticated and sturdy enough for Holly to even surf with it, which she also does in her spare time, along with playing soccer! Today, Holly is most concerned with staying outdoors and being as active as her diseases will allow her to be. Read the full article in Mercury News. |