Hunter Norment, T1D at 17


Hunter Norment at diagnosis.

Hunter Norment at diagnosis.

Hunter’s answers

Name, age & school: Hunter Norment, 17, Pleasanton High School, Senior

Diagnosis date: February 26, 2012

3 things I wish people knew about T1D: You don’t get diabetes by being overweight. It can’t be cured with lifestyle changes. That I will have to take insulin the rest of my life. It does affect my mood and emotions. And the cost of how much the medication is to save my life.

Most asked question: How did you get your sugar thing?

Least favorite question: Can you eat that? Thought you could not eat sugar.

How did T1D camp help: February 2013 I attended Sam Fuld’s T1D sports camp. This camp is in Florida and the message that it sends to T1D is very simple, kids with T1D should never have to sit on the sidelines. This camp is for T1D only, the coaches that coach each sports are professional and collegiate athletes that all have T1D. It’s a sports camp where everyone gets what it means to deal with the rigors of T1D and play a sport. I learned that I could achieve my dream of playing sports and showing steers and after a long game of football or baseball I could have a milk shake. That helps with the four hour drop in blood sugar after a game.

The Norment family, back, Darold, Debbie, Hunter, front, Michelle and Dakota.

The Norment family, back, Darold, Debbie, Hunter, front, Michelle and Dakota.

Do you play sports: I played select baseball since I was 10 until high school. I played junior high football, basketball, track and in High school I played varsity baseball freshman and sophomore year, played freshman football and was on the varsity football team since sophomore year. I have had the honors of making Most Valuable Defense Baseball 2016-2017, Outstanding Lineman Offense- Football 2016-2017, Outstanding Lineman-Defense Football 2017- 2018 , 2nd team All District Center my sophomore {2016} year, 1st team All District Defensive Tackle my junior year {2017}, I have had the biggest honor of winning the Dave Campbell Unsung Hero Award Nov 2, 2018 and being selected to play in the San Antonio All Star Game Jan 5 2019. This has all been such an honor

Hunter Norment now.

Hunter Norment now.

Along with playing sports I also show steers and am on a livestock judging team through 4H and FFA.

How do your coaches and teammates help you: My coaches, trainers and teammates help me by being my support system on and off the field.

One positive thing about having T1D: It has helped shaped me into who I am today.

Best advice for someone just diagnosed with T1D: God gives his toughest battles to his toughest warriors, so don’t let this diagnosis stop you from achieving your dreams!!!!

Parents’ answers

Names: Darold and Debbie Norment, daughter Michelle Norment and granddaughter Dakota Tucker

Thoughts the day your child was diagnosed: Why why him, why couldn’t this happen to us instead of him? Just disbelief this was happening to our healthy 10 year old. He was just showing steers in San Antonio Stockshow a few days before this.

Thoughts today compared to then: God chose Hunter for a reason to have T1D we are all learning what that means really. When you are first diagnosed you are just trying to understand this difficult disease process and what you have to do on a daily basis. Still it’s a daily challenge but you handle them a little different.

3 things you wish people knew about T1D: It is not contagious, the misconceptions between T1D and Type 2, that managing takes constant work and planning—T1D never get a break.

Least favorite question about T1D: We really don’t have one. We love when people ask a question. That means we get to educate on diabetes. That what really needs to be done for everyone is education. People just don’t understand the disease and what it takes to take care of it.

Best advice for someone just diagnosed with T1D: Ask a lot of questions and find a support group. Even if it’s on social media, we have a messenger account called T1D Warrior Moms—that’s where we go for support and uplifting when needed. Also we post on there good things that are going on in our kiddos lives, it helps the other T1D kids see they can do anything they want, just takes a little more planning and monitoring on everyone’s part.

Education is to the public. Our school systems and family and friend are the key to helping each child who is diagnosed with T1D.

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