Brady, 17, Navigates Type 1 Diabetes, College Prep, and Life Choices

Early Life and Diagnosis

• 💡 Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age five, Brady is now 17 and preparing for college, reflecting on his journey.
• 🧠 He recalls his diagnosis vividly, including frequent urination and excessive thirst, leading to a blood sugar reading of around 900.
• 🧸 A JDRF bear named Rufus, received during his hospital stay, remains a cherished item, even making an appearance in a high school spirit week.

Managing Diabetes and Family Support

• 🤝 Brady's mother has been a constant support, managing his care with syringes initially and later with pens, expressing ongoing concern about insulin dosage.
• 📈 Despite his mother's involvement, Brady has taken on increasing responsibility for his diabetes management since elementary school, with A1C levels consistently in the sixes and sevens.
• 👨‍⚕️ His father is less involved in daily diabetes care but shares Dexcom data, with the family finding a balance in their support roles.

Transition to College and Independence

• 🎓 Brady is heading to Florida Gulf Coast University as a business major, a decision influenced by financial considerations and a desire for independence.
• 📚 He acknowledges the challenges of college life, including food quality and the need for more aggressive diabetes management, but has a kitchen nearby and is learning to cook.
• 🚫 He expresses a strong aversion to alcohol and drugs, a stance he attributes to personal choice rather than peer pressure.

Personal Interests and Future Outlook

• 🧱 Brady finds relaxation in building Legos, particularly Star Wars sets, and enjoys playing video games with friends, often aiming for 100% completion.
• 💻 He is considering ADHD, noting a scatterbrained tendency that affects assignment submission despite excelling academically with a 5.0 GPA.
• 💖 While not actively dating, Brady is open to the idea of a partner in the future, emphasizing emotional connection over physical attraction and acknowledging he's not ready for the responsibility of a traditional partnership yet.

Diabetes Management Strategies and Future

• ⚙️ Brady is exploring options for more rapid-acting insulin and has discussed Metformin with his doctor due to potential insulin resistance, using 75-90 units of insulin daily.
• 💡 He is experimenting with temporary basal rates on his Omnipod 5 to compensate for new sites being less effective initially.
• 🚀 The host encourages Brady to proactively manage his diabetes before college, emphasizing the importance of preparation and learning from experiences, drawing parallels to the structured advice in the "Small Sip" series.
• 🤝 Brady's experience managing his diabetes during a week-long robotics competition in 9th grade demonstrated his ability to rise to the challenge when fully responsible.