By Aryssah Stankevitsch

Being diabetic for only two years now, I’ve certainly noticed a difference in how I participate in sports. Prior to, I could be out all day playing hockey in the street, practicing my serve at my local community centre, working on soccer drills with my uncles. I was a bursting ball of energy—never ending. It was annoying to all others I’m sure, and for the most part I still am that way. However, I didn’t need to worry about what I had for breakfast, how much insulin I gave myself last night, or what my blood glucose should be before active behaviour.

Knowing some semblance of how integral controlling your sugars are while being an athlete, is entirely overwhelming. Biking with the Cycle 4 team this summer gave me that semblance, though I’m confident that professional athletes with diabetes have an even more rigorous regime. I’m still athletic, go to the gym everyday, and eat well—but these competitors have to truly be on their game; one low blood sugar can scar your career and reputation, and thus salary and fan base decline. Despite this, determination is a disease that all athletes share, especially those with something to prove on [...] continue the story