Celebrities Get Diabetes, Too
You can't be too rich or too poor to get diabetes. Many famous people from all walks of life have contracted Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and didn't let it stop their careers. By looking at them, you can gain inspiration that your diabetes, or the diabetes of a loved one, can be managed to maintain your quality of life.
Diabetics In The World Of Sports
It is a myth that diabetics can't enjoy sports. In fact, regular exercise is encouraged to help manage your condition. There are many diabetics past and present in the world of professional sports. Here are some of the more famous:
Arthur Ashe: The first African American to win Wimbledon, he had Type 2 diabetes. When he eventually died, it was due to AIDS contracted through a blood transfusion.
Bobby Clarke: His name is synonymous with the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, which he helped win two Stanley Cups in the 1970's, and then became general manager in the 1990's. He has Type 1 diabetes.
James "Buster" Douglas: Heavyweight boxer who knocked out Mike Tyson in 1990 didn't let Type 1 stop him.
Diabetics In Music
The crazy schedules of professional musicians make eating regularly a chore. But it must and can be done. Perhaps you went to a concert or have a record of one of these famous diabetic singers and musicians:
Elvis Presley: He had a lot of problems, and Type 2 diabetes became one of them.
Patti LaBelle: Still performing today, the soul singer with incredible hair is even a spokesperson for OneTouch blood sugar monitors.
Jerry Garcia: The immortal Grateful Dead lead guitarist did make an effort to manage his Type 2, and had a sense of humor about it.
Bret Michaels: Hunky lead singer of the metal band Poison was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 6.
Diabetic Authors
Writers have a pretty dicey life as it is with very unpredictable sources of money. But with discipline, you can write and have enough to eat and manage your diabetes. You might have heard of these famous diabetic writers:
Ernest Hemmingway: When he eventually died, it was due to suicide thought to be from a combination of depression and alcohol.
H.G. Wells: Yes, THAT H.G. Wells, was born with Type 1 and eventually founded the British Diabetics Association.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: It is unknown what type of diabetes she had, but she did live to the ripe old age of 90.
