Mariners Pitching Duo Deal With Type 1 Diabetes: Many diabetics find encouragement by participating in a support group. We all tend to find comfort in engaging others who experience the same things we do. It may seem strange, but it is a notion that has brought two Seattle Mariners pitchers together.

Brandon Marrow was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while still in high school. While he had been a starting pitcher he recently made the decision to head to the bullpen as part of the relief squad. He told Sports Illustrated his diabetes was a factor in that decision. Morrow must test his blood glucose regularly to remain at the peak of his abilities.

Little did Marrow realize his difficulties would be useful in helping someone else. In this case, Mark Lowe, another pitcher for the Mariners found help in someone who had been there before. Lowe had poked good natured fun at Morrow for all the diabetic testing he had to do, but this duo are now finding a kinship neither expected.

According to a HeraldNet.com report Lowe began experiencing some difficulties with his health. There were times when he couldn’t seem to see straight, he lost a lot of weight and when he lost energy he lost it very quickly. The diagnosis? Type 1 diabetes.

Lowe was originally diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, but the correct diagnosis was eventually made.

Morrow recalls that the friendship between the two happened quickly, “He’d just gotten his glucometer, and we were messing around pricking ourselves and sharing numbers.” The HeraldNet.com report indicates the two would wager over who could come closest to guessing their own personal glucose readings.

Lowe manages his diabetes by injecting insulin as needed while Morrow relies on an insulin pump to regulate his blood glucose.

Team Physician Mark Storey indicates this is the first time the Mariners have had two players who were diabetic. “Mark is new at this and he’s not as comfortable as Brandon is. The diabetes is affected by their activity level, so they have to be a lot stricter on their blood sugar monitoring. If it drops, it can affect their performance.” This might be why both have taken on roles as relief pitchers instead of attempting to maintain starting status. Both pitchers will rely on multiple tests during games to ensure they are ready to play.

According to HeraldNet.com Lowe said, “It was not fun knowing it’s something you’ll have to do the rest of your life, poking yourself with a needle forever, but you get over it and know it could be way, way worse. In the longrun, it’s something that will help you — staying in shape, eating right. You have to look at it in the big picture, and I think it’s going to be a very positive thing.”

The report indicated that both Lowe and Morrow are serious about the care they receive in connection with their diabetes, but they are also serious about living life. Morrow offers this advice, “Don’ t let it [diabetes] hold you back. It’s a serious condition but if you take care of yourself and monitor it, you can be as healthy as anybody else.”

Where Morrow has been through the diabetes trenches Lowe still needs help coping from time to time. When he has questions he knows where to go. Lowe concluded, “Fortunately, when I was diagnosed I had somebody right next to me every day to ask questions to.”

That’s the value of connection when you have diabetes. A support group can be a big help when you’re struggling to make sense of diabetes.