By Deborah Shawcross

Rider John Chick helps kids overcome their struggle with diabetes

Nov 3, 2014 | 5:17 AM

Children suffering from diabetes came together in Regina on Saturday to learn more about the disease and meet kids just like them.

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hosted a conference for parents and their kids.
 
Six years ago Noah Steinly was losing weight and was always thirsty. It turns out he had type 1 diabetes.
 
He continues to learn how to live with the disease everyday, as he watches how much carbohydrates he eats and constantly pokes his finger to check his blood sugar level.
 
“The hardest part would be sometimes forgetting to give myself insulin. I go high and then I’m sick for a bit.”
 
His mom Michelle says Noah can eat cake, cookies and ice cream, just like any other kid thanks to an insulin pump. As a mom she is always worrying about the future challenges Noah might face.
 
“Noah’s just 12 but I’m thinking that the teenage years might be difficult. There’s a lot of peer pressure, a lot of hormonal issues going on.”
 
Noah’s favourite Saskatchewan Roughrider John Chick spoke at the conference, sharing his own experience with the disease. Chick knows how hard it can be on youth, as he was diagnosed with type 1 when he was 14 years old.
 
“Especially when your young, your body is changing all the time. Once you think you got something figured out, you change again.”
 
Chick encouraged the kids to follow their dreams, saying it’s possible as long as they’re willing to put the work in. That message was not lost on Noah, who wore a Rider jersey with Chick’s name on the back.
 
“It just tells me that I can do whatever i want in my life.”

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