Hello. My name is Maksim Stadler. I'm 11 years old and I'm from Beamsville, Ontario. I like school at lot, especially math and science. I like to play soccer, swim, ride my rip stick, jump on the trampoline, do gymnastics, and build with Lego.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was five and a half years old. I started taking three needles a day and poking my finger eight times per day. That's about 4,005 pokes and needles a year, approximately 20,000 since I was diagnosed. Most people will never have that many needles in their lifetime.
Now I wear an insulin pump. It's a lot better. I was nervous at the beginning, but now I'm in control. I need my mom and dad's help to make changes and to do the insertions, but I bolus for the carbs I eat. Today, I'm involved in JDRF CCTN's clinical trial that looks at timing the initiation of continuous glucose monitoring and pump therapy.
When I first got the continuous glucose monitor I thought of myself as a cyborg. Now I don't even notice I have a sensor and a site. I calibrate the sensor myself, and no one even notices anymore.
A continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, is a device for people with diabetes that provides continuous real-time readings and data about trends in glucose levels. This can allow people with diabetes to understand the level of their glucose and whether it is rising or falling, and to intervene by eating or taking insulin to prevent it from going too high or too low.
I still finger poke before I eat and I still count carbs. I always have to be careful of highs and lows with my blood sugar because I can become sick very quickly. The CGM measures my glucose levels every five minutes and is another step closer to better monitoring and better glucose control.
There is hope that one day the CGM will speak to the insulin pump to distribute the correct amount of insulin automatically. JDRF is working really hard at developing the artificial pancreas, an automated system to disperse insulin based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels the same way the pancreas does in people without diabetes.
I've been involved in three clinical trial studies with JDRF. They are trying really hard to find a cure for me and others who have type 1 diabetes. I am thankful my friends at JDRF are always searching and never giving up on finding a cure. My family and I will continue to do our part.
Thank you.