Category: Diabetes 101

Bret Michael Sychak entered the world in 1963, native to Butler, Pennsylvania. Michaels’s career has been going strong since the 80s. His first band was called Paris which later became Poison. It was a hard rock sensation that lasted through the 80s. Some of there songs include “Nothin’ but a Good Time”, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance”. Michaels has a reality TV show called, “Rock of Love”. He also has ventured into movie productions and began his own company.

Michaels was only 6 years old when the doctors told him that he had diabetes. He had to stay in the hospital for two months, while the doctors tried to determine his blood sugar levels. He has been shown in “Behind the Music” and other specials using a syringe. This led many people to believe he was a drug abuser. However, he was using his insulin.

David Wells was born in 1963 from Torrance, California. He is famous for his pitching skills. Wells has been a successful pitcher for several teams beginning with Toronto Blue Jays in 1987 and his latest team is the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007. With the nickname Boomer, he has been dubbed the best left-handed pitcher in baseball. On March 17, 1998 Wells had earned public recognition. He was the 15th pitcher in the history of the MLB to pitch a perfect game.

Wells was lucky enough to enjoy a childhood that did not include tests of his blood sugar level. In the spring of 2007, David Wells made a public announcement, letting everyone know that he has Type II diabetes. Wells was determined to take the necessary lifestyle changes in order to try and beat the disease.

Mary Tyler Moore has been an icon in the television world as well as a spokeswoman for diabetes. She was born in 1936, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Moore is most famous for her roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as well as “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. She began her career at the tender age of 17. Moore got her start on television commercials that were played during the most popular sitcoms at the time. She has been in film as well as stage performances. Through her career, she has been honored with a statute and awards. She is still making appearances in TV and movies.

Moore, who has type 1 diabetes, spoke before a Congressional committee, on behalf of all diabetics. On June 24, 2003, she gave this testimony:”For most of you, blood sugar balance is as automatic as breathing. But for people with juvenile diabetes, like me, it requires vigilance 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.” She has done commercials and assists in opening peoples eye to the dangerous that diabetes can cause. While Moore is fighting for a cure for the diabetes disease, she has almost completely lost her sight as well as one of her limbs.

Kelli Kuehne is a famous golfer diagnosed with diabetes. She was born in 1977 from Dallas, Texas. The Kuehne family is full of famous golfers as well. Her two bothers activity plays the sport and wins tournaments. Kuehne has been a part of several championship matches including United States Girl’s Junior Amateur, United States Women’s Amateur and the British Ladies Amateur. She has won all three titles. Kuehne began the professional tour and finally won the LPGA Corning Classics in 1999.

A majority of athletes with diabetes have made public statements about their condition. Kuehne is one of those people. She has been dealing with diabetes since the early age of 10. On May 18, 2003, Kuehne said this: “My biggest goal in life is to help diabetic children understand that because they have the disease they need to take care of themselves, see a dietitian and get plenty of knowledge about the illness.”

Jerry Mathers is a TV and stage icon. He was born in 1948 and a native of Sioux City, Iowa. Mathers is best known for his portrayal of a young 1950s suburban boy. Everyone remembers the lovable yet mischievous Beaver Cleaver. Mathers began his acting career when he was just two years old. In his long list of achievements, he was the first actor to receive a percentage of product revenue from a television show. Mathers also had a short musical career where he recorded some songs with this band called Beaver and the Trappers.

Mathers learned in 1996 that he had diabetes. He then lost 45 pounds, and began to lecture about living with diabetes. Mathers understood the importance of the disease and wished to share his knowledge with others faced with diabetes. He became a spokesman for the Johnson and Johnson Company. They design glucose testing meters.

Efraym Elliot Yamin entered the world in 1978. He is a native of Los Angeles, California. Yamin is from Jewish and Israeli descent. His musical career started out at an early age. Yamin was first discovered signing karaoke when he was a teenage. He has had several big breaks including a single titled, “Wait for You”. Most people may recognize him from “American Idol”, where he placed 3rd on the fifth season. Since being on “American Idol”, he has preformed on various talk shows as well as several other performances that has launched his musical talent to higher levels. Elliot Yamin is now 30 years old and in the height of his career.

At the age of 16, he learned that he had type 1 diabetes. He publicly described his reaction to that diagnosis: “I didn’t understand how I could go from being a normal kid to overnight, having this lifelong disease that was incurable.” Yamin got over his initial shock, and he went on to make a recording with Hickory Records.

Riley B. King entered the world in 1925. He is a native of Itta Bena, Mississippi. King began his career in the 40s where he went to Tennessee to become a star. Unfortunately, he did not make it at that time. King went back home to prepare himself better. Two years later, he returned for the break he was looking for. King began as a singer at a radio station, soon after he had his first recording contract. He is dubbed one of the best guitarist of all time. Some of his recordings include “Stand By Me”, “Woke Up This Morning” and “You Upset Me Baby”. King has had several television appearances and over 15,000 musical performances. B.B. King is 83 years old.

King has been living with type 2 diabetes for over 20 years. He is an avid spokesman for the disease. King was worried about the need to prick his fingers in order to test his blood glucose level. After he discovered the One Touch Ultra System, he agreed to be a voice for One Touch. King has also endorsed other products that allow individuals to take care of their diabetes successfully.

James Augustus Hunter is a native from New Orleans, born in 1946. Later, he became known as the Catfish Hunter. He played both football and baseball while in high school. During his senior year, he had a hunting accident and lost one toe. This accident worried the would be baseball star. Catfish Hunter felt that he could not have a successful career. However, he became one of the leading sports stars of his time. Still, he went on to pitch for an MLB team. On May 22, 1968, Hunter pitched a perfect game. He began his career with the Kansas City A’s in 1965 and it ended in 1979 with the New York Yankees. Catfish Hunter died in 1999 from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 53 years old.

The Lou Gehrig’s Disease was diagnosed one year before he died. In the last few years of Catfish Hunter’s life, he could barely throw a baseball. He was unconscious for a time when he hit his head on a step. Catfish Hunter was released from the hospital in good condition. Along with the Lou Gehrig’s Disease, he was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This left him taking insulin injects 3 times a day.

David Crosby is a legend in the music industry. He was born in 1941, native of Los Angeles, California. Crosby was one of the founding members of the rock groups The Byrds as well as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. His first interest was not music, rather it was acting. After a while, he put aside that idea and began his music career. Crosby will always be remembered for his songwriting, singing and guitar playing. Some of his most famous works include “Eight Miles High”, “Music is Love” and “Where Will I Be”. Crosby was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well. David Crosby is 67 years old.

Crosby has had some medical problems in his life. He is insulin dependant with type 1 diabetes. Crosby has also undergone a liver transplant in the 90s. This is because his liver was damaged due to over use of drugs and alcohol in his past.

Allen Wilford Brimley was born in 1934. He is native to Salt Lake City, Utah. Throughout his life, he has had some major accomplishments. Brimley was once a body guard for Howard Hughes. During the Korean conflict, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Brimley is most famous for his acting ability, however. His first job on a set was shoeing horses for 60s westerns. He is more notable for his works in “Cocoon”, the television show “Our House” and “The Firm”. Brimley is known for being an activist. He fights laws on the banning of cockfighting and horse-race gambling. Wilford Brimley is 74 years old.

Brimley having diabetes is a spokesman for the disease. He speaks out on the importance of checking glucose levels often and living a better life. Brimley appears in advertisements for Liberty Medical, a distributor of diabetes supplies.