Jay Cutler of Chicago Bears inspires kids with type 1 diabetes

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler spent his entire college football career--and two years in the NFL--not knowing he had type 1 diabetes.

In 2008, he was diagnosed right before the NFL season. But now he's spreading the message to kids with the same disease that diabetes need not get in the way of their dreams.

"When I found out that Type 1 mostly involves kids, that was an easy choice for me," Cutler said. "Just talking to them one-on-one and giving them someone to relate to who has the same disease they have -- that's important."

Cutler said his first thought after being diagnosed was something along the lines of, "Why me?" But now he says, "It's just something you have to deal with," day in and day out.


His work at the Jay Cutler Foundation has had a strong focus on helping kids with type 1 diabetes. Feeling sorry for himself, he notes, is not an option.

"It doesn't have to change your goals or your aspirations of what you want to do or who you want to be in the future. It's just a little speed bump that you'll get through, and you just have to manage it each and every day."

For now, Jay manages his condition with a diet high in vegetables, low in carbs and sugar, and a lot of discipline. He also has a daily medical routine that helps him take extra care of his health--especially on game days.

Source: Yahoo Sports


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