When Gary Scheiner went home for summer break in 1985 after his freshman year of college, he knew it was more than just the Texas heat causing his weight loss. He had dropped from a healthy 155 pounds to just 117 pounds in one summer. He was tired, thirsty and lethargic.

An episode of M*A*S*H, in which a character was diagnosed with diabetes after struggling with the same symptoms, inspired Scheiner to get tested. Within minutes he received his answer: a type one diabetes (T1D) diagnosis.

Returning for his sophomore year of college, Scheiner took ownership of his T1D and so did his roommates. Before every dinner they would gather around when he tested his blood sugar and wager on the results.

He exercised daily and found ways to stay active AND healthy. Scheiner found ways to make his T1D manageable and stay optimistic while doing it.

Finding inspiration from his exercise physiologist, Scheiner went to grad school to earn his Masters in the field and has become an award-winning Certified Diabetes Educator, Masters-level Exercise Physiologist and person with T1D.

Now, Scheiner is working to help others manage their T1D as well.

He was recently named 2014 Diabetes Educator of the year by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and will speak during a breakout session and afternoon keynote at the 8^th Annual Type One Nation Summit (formerly Diabetes Today and Tomorrow Conference and Exhibits) on Saturday, May 9 at the Wayne County Community College Western Campus in Belleville.

The breakout session focuses on strategies for Managing Blood Glucose During Sports and Exercise at all levels, from general daily activity to heavy competition. Scheiner’s keynote discussion will examine the Evolution of Diabetes Care throughout the years and lend some perspective on how far T1D care has advanced.

For more information or to register (by May 4) for this FREE event visit this link.