My name is Kevin and I am 3.5 years old. I was diagnosed with diabetes two weeks before my 1st birthday.

Managing my diabetes is a lot of work, every day, all day. I monitor my carb intake at every meal and snack. Since my diagnosis I have had a total of 4,585 finger sticks, at least, and 2,450 insulin injections. This past year I began wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which helps my parents continuously see my glucose levels, but I still have to do my five daily finger sticks. The CGM is attached to my lower back and to my parent’s frustration I often take it off because it itches and gives me a rash. All the time my sugar levels go too high and too low which can make me shaky or dizzy, and also make me get angry and scream. Sometimes I tell my parents that I no longer have diabetes because I do not want to have it anymore.

I do really like all the nice people I have met along the way. I often attend Breakthrough T1D events where I meet new kids that also have T1D. My dad does a long bike ride every year to support me and help raise money for diabetes research. My mom takes the most care of me by giving me injections and finger sticks, and measuring all the food I eat. And my brother Eamon often guilts my parents into giving him M&M’s whenever they give me chocolate milk to raise my sugar levels. I am lucky to have so much support from my family, friends, and the Breakthrough T1D.“

Please join us in wishing Kevin’s dad good luck in this year’s Ride to Montauk. Brian will be riding over 100 miles in support of his son with Team Breakthrough T1D! To donate to Brian, please click here.