Skier Kris Freeman Qualifies for Winter Olympics in Vancouver Despite Diabetes
Cross-country skier Kris Freeman suffers from type 1 diabetes that requires daily injections of insulin to stay alive.
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January 20, 2010
Cross-country skier Kris Freeman suffers from type 1 diabetes that requires daily injections of insulin to stay alive. However, despite the adversity he has just been named to the 2010 Winter Olympics ski team, and will have a shot at a gold medal in Vancouver next month.
Freeman is expected to compete in five Olympic events, including the 15 km freestyle, the individual sprint, the 30 km pursuit, the team sprint, and the 50 km mass start classic. Thanks to medical advances, he will wear a small insulin pump that provides an adjustable supply of the compound to control the condition even when he is racing.
The 29-year-old has shown that it is possible to thrive and inspire others despite a serious health condition. "I'm motivated to win for my country and myself, but to also prove to detractors that it's possible to compete against the world's best cross-country skiers, even with type 1 diabetes," he stated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.
Experts say that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented. However, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise or smoking may lead to complications that may include eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel and nerve diseases, and should therefore be avoided.
Survivors and their families may turn to the American Diabetes Association for resources that may help them manage their condition and thrive.
Cross-country skier Kris Freeman suffers from type 1 diabetes that requires daily injections of insulin to stay alive. However, despite the adversity he has just been named to the 2010 Winter Olympics ski team, and will have a shot at a gold medal in Vancouver next month.
Freeman is expected to compete in five Olympic events, including the 15 km freestyle, the individual sprint, the 30 km pursuit, the team sprint, and the 50 km mass start classic. Thanks to medical advances, he will wear a small insulin pump that provides an adjustable supply of the compound to control the condition even when he is racing.
The 29-year-old has shown that it is possible to thrive and inspire others despite a serious health condition. "I'm motivated to win for my country and myself, but to also prove to detractors that it's possible to compete against the world's best cross-country skiers, even with type 1 diabetes," he stated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 23.6 million Americans have diabetes.
Experts say that type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component and cannot be prevented. However, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise or smoking may lead to complications that may include eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel and nerve diseases, and should therefore be avoided.
Survivors and their families may turn to the American Diabetes Association for resources that may help them manage their condition and thrive.
