Life with Type 1 Diabetes: Patients Celebrate their 10-Year Journey

Patients celebrate 10 years of living with Type I Diabetes

Last week, 21 patients and their families gathered together to celebrate an important milestone–their 10 year anniversary of living with Type 1 Diabetes.

In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitis, formerly called Juvenile-Onset Diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin. This means the body cannot use glucose as a source of fuel. It is a chronic disease that must be managed through meticulous monitoring of insulin, diet, and activity.

This diagnosis was a death sentence until the early 1920s when commercially available insulin was introduced. Through continued improvements in insulin technology, patients can now expect to live long and healthy lives–albeit challenging.

In recognition of the constant challenges these patients face, our Diabetes Program together with Lilly Diabetes held a celebration to honor their respective journeys.

Fighting Illness with Bravery

Brayden Butters speaks about overcoming obstacles.

“You all are so brave,” said Mary Murray, Director of Primary Children’s Diabetes Program. “You take Diabetes with you everywhere you go.”

Brayden Buttars, a high school senior and longtime patient, also mentioned bravery as an important tool in taking on his disease. Brayden was diagnosed just before his fifth birthday and has gone on to become a 4.0 student, rugby player, accapella singer, and ballroom dancer at Herriman High School. He said that although Diabetes could be used as an excuse not to live life to the fullest, “you can never let it get in the way.”

A Parent’s Journey with Diabetes

The event also honored the parents’ journey. Rita Sutton, whose son was diagnosed at just 17 months old, spoke about the challenges she faced early on. She spent four days in the hospital with Ethan learning how to count carbs and prepare correctly dosed food. She thought, “I don’t know how we’re going to survive this.”

In the beginning, she said she only knew how to correctly dose three different meals. An important realization for her was that she wasn’t going to “get it perfect.” She also realized that her view of Ethan’s disease would inform his own perception. It was then that she started to appreciate the “highs and lows” they experienced. Most importantly, she said, they now recognize the anniversary of Ethan’s diagnosis as a celebration of his ability to live a healthy life. She added, laughing, that they usually celebrate with cake–and insulin.

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Primary Children's Hospital

Primary Children’s Hospital ranks among the best children's hospitals. Located in scenic Utah, everything in our hospital is focused on providing the best care for children. For more than 90 years, we have been committed to helping children, families, and communities across the western United States.

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