Everyday Hero:
Everyday Heroes is a monthly series recognizing individuals, families or businesses that go above and beyond to serve our local T1D community. 

The Drechsler Family become involved with Breakthrough T1D One Walk when their oldest son, Tommy, was diagnosed in 2005. However, their team name has changed over the years, after two more of their children were diagnosed with T1D. First they called themselves “Team Tommy.” Then they became the “Diabetic Duo” (after Avery’s diagnosis) and now they are “Team Tri-abetes”, following Will’s diagnosis. We sat down with the Drechsler’s to hear more about this family’s shared dream to create a world without type 1 diabetes.

 

MEET THE DRECHSLERS:

Andy (father): I’m the chief financial officer at Provention Bio – a biotech company that is working to discover therapies that could prevent or intercept type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other autoimmune diseases. My wife, Moira is a registered nurse and she is currently at Monmouth University studying to become a nurse practitioner.

Avery (age 16): I was diagnosed when I was 10. I was the second sibling in our family to be diagnosed with T1D. It was six years after my brother, Tommy’s diagnosis.

Tommy (age 14): I was diagnosed when I was 22 months old on Halloween. I was the first one in our family to get T1D.

Mimi (age 13): I’m the only one of my siblings that doesn’t have T1D.

Will (age 10): I got T1D when I was 5 years old right after my birthday. I was diagnosed 6 months after my sister, Avery.

 

Tell me your T1D Story:

Andy: T1D became a part of our life right after our daughter, Mimi, was born. Tommy had developed a Coxsackie infection. Because the virus can be so dangerous to babies, we kept the two of them away from each other.  Then a few months later, Moira was noticing Tommy had frequent urination and thirst, and then he started losing weight.  She knew these were signs of diabetes, but with no family history, it didn’t seem possible, but we brought him in to his pediatrician. While there, Tommy was begging for a drink so the doctor handed him a little dixie cup with water and we watched him gulp it down and ask for more.  The doctor then stuck a ketone strip in his diaper and it was positive for ketones. We rushed Tommy over to the emergency room at Jersey Shore Medical Center.  His blood glucose number was over 1,000 and Tommy was in DKA.  He was admitted to the Jersey Shore PICU, where Tommy was monitored and treated for several days and so our journey began.

 

Once Tommy was diagnosed, how did that affect the additional diagnoses?

Andy: We now knew the symptoms and any time we noticed them in our other children we would immediately check their blood sugar. Six years later, when Avery was exhibiting the same symptoms as Tommy, we checked her sugar and it was 240.  With the early detection, it was easy to call Tommy’s endocrinologist and set up an appointment for Avery. We were able to avoid DKA and time in the hospital. The second time was a simpler transition into life with T1D.

Then another six months went by and Will’s daycare reported he was drinking a lot and using the bathroom frequently. So we did another blood sugar check and just like that we had a third child with T1D.

 

Did Moira’s background as a nurse make management any easier?

Andy: Moira really is the one who detected the symptoms of diabetes and she is the primary caregiver. After Will’s diagnosis she probably went at least 3-4 years without a full night’s sleep and was up every night. On the positive side, having 3 children with T1D is also the catalyst behind her desire to further her education in order to become a nurse practitioner.

How did being diagnosed affect you?

Avery: At age 10, it was a much easier transition for me than it was for Tommy. I grew up watching my parents manage his blood sugars and I already knew a lot about T1D. I knew how to count carbs, and I knew his doctor so it wasn’t such an inconvenience.

Tommy: I felt bad for Avery when she got T1D. But after, it was nice to know that we had each other’s back and were able to help each other out. I wasn’t all alone with this anymore.

Will: I just assumed I would never get it so I didn’t care to know much about T1D.

 

How does diabetes affect you?

Andy: Diabetes affects all 4 of the kids. But I think it affects Mimi a little differently because she does not have diabetes but watches her siblings live with it.

Mimi: I distinctly remember crying when Will was diagnosed because I didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t have diabetes. But now at 13, I am learning more about diabetes because I am doing a project about it at school, and I also help take care of Will when I watch him.

Andy: Diabetes doesn’t hold them back.

Avery: I play field hockey for a club team and for my high school.

Tommy: I play soccer, golf and recreation basketball.

Will: I play soccer, golf, hockey and recreation basketball.

 

Has technology changed the way you manage diabetes?

Andy: Tommy received injections for years before he received his first pump around 6 or 7 years old. His siblings all had much shorter period of time with shots. Avery was put on a pump within 6 months of her diagnosis and Will transitioned to a pump just a few short weeks after his diagnosis.

Now, they all wear the Medtronic 670G. The technology really helps them live a more normal life and has brought their A1C down across the board. They will tell you that sometimes wearing the CGM and pump can hurt, but for the most part it makes things easier and is better than previous pumps they have used because it anticipates highs and lows and adjusts in advance.

 

How did your family get connected with Breakthrough T1D?

Andy: After Tommy’s diagnosis, we quickly got introduced to Breakthrough T1D. Once connected, we would reach out to Breakthrough T1D with questions or whenever we needed support. In 2006, we joined Jersey Shore Medical’s walk team in Avon and never looked back!  Our team has changed over the years, first we called ourselves “Team Tommy”. Then we became the “Diabetic Duo” (after Avery’s diagnosis) and now we are “Team Tri-abetes”, following Will’s diagnosis. Every single year, without fail, we come out to the walk.

 

What made you decide to start a walk team?

Andy: It is so important to our family to have a special day recognizing the kids and all the other kids fighting this disease. We used to have a summer home in Bradley Beach just a few blocks away from the One Walk in Avon, so we always went big with 40-50 family members and friends who joined us in raising significant funds for Breakthrough T1D and to show us their support.  It builds upon that faith that your friends and family will always be there for you.

Tommy: One year, my friends and I ran the walk and said we won the race. Another year, I walked even though I had a broken foot (which I didn’t know was broken at the time).

 

What are your favorite Breakthrough T1D memories?

Avery: My favorite memories revolve around the local Breakthrough T1D support group that Tommy and I attended to connect with other kids who are just like us. Also, my role as a Breakthrough T1D Youth Ambassador is something I’m incredibly proud of. As an Ambassador, I am able to connect with other kids, raise awareness and help fundraise.  I even participate in a Breakthrough T1D club at my school and more than two dozen kids have joined it.  Breakthrough T1D is such big part of my life.

Tommy: Even though I love the walk, my favorite Breakthrough T1D memory is from when I was little. I went to a Nets game with Breakthrough T1D and we were able to go out on the basketball court and meet some of the NBA players.

Will: I like the food and snacks at the walk the best!

 

What does a cure mean to you?:

Tommy: Honestly, it would mean the world. I would be really happy and get emotional.

Avery: Even though I can accomplish anything with diabetes and I’m happy for the lessons it has taught me in life, I would be so happy for the freedom I would have to go out and achieve my dreams. I would love for mom and dad to get good night’s sleep and not have to worry about us so much.

Will: It would be awesome to just get rid of it and not have to care about every little thing. It would be nice to not have to worry about how many carbs are in a cupcake.

Mimi: I couldn’t even describe what a cure would mean. Everything would be easier so we could all just be a normal family.

To support Team TRI-ABETES please visit their team page.