My Diabetes Diagnosis Came Out of Nowhere. Today, Families Can Know Sooner
Time · Nick Jonas ·
"A diabetes diagnosis is not a personal failing," writes Nick Jonas. "There should be no shame in understanding your risk and seeking care if needed."
I was 13 years old and in the middle of one of the Jonas Brothers’ first tours when I knew something was wrong. In just two weeks, I’d lost nearly 25 pounds. I was constantly thirsty, going to the bathroom, getting regular cramps, and my attitude had become more than that of an irritable teenager. While I didn’t know what was wrong, I knew I needed to see a doctor.
Fast forward, I was sitting with the pediatrician and heard the words “You have type 1 diabetes.”
Immediately, I saw my future flash before my eyes: Will I be able to perform again? Am I going to die? This certainly wasn’t what anybody predicted.