Image Source: Sanofi
Mom, author, and entrepreneur Chrissy Teigen never thought that a stomach bug would put her son, Miles, into the hospital. But that was her reality after her 6-year old spent time at a football camp and came home sick. "One day Miles came home and he was doubled over in pain. It was different for us because Miles is really an active kid. It was different to see him really in pain," says Teigen. He was in the hospital for 3 days with a bacterial infection, and Teigen recalls thinking that the doctors were just managing his stomach pain from the infection. But she soon found it was more than that: he actually had Type 1 diabetes.
"We were really thrown into the world of his diagnosis," says Teigen. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas's ability to produce enough insulin. Because the diagnosis was such an abrupt shock, Teigen says she felt compelled to advocate for early screening, which is why she joined Sanofi as a spokesperson for Screen for Type 1.
"We are really passionate about letting people know that [early screening] is an option for them. If you can be given a head start on this, it can make all the difference in your level of fear, and in your understanding of Type 1 as whole," Teigen shares. Even after they got Miles' diagnosis, Teigen says, still no one asked if she and her husband, John Legend, wanted to get their other kids screened.
Image Source: Sanofi
Here's What She Wants Other People to Know
Teigen shares that Type 1 diabetes is overwhelming for anyone with the diagnosis, let alone a child. "It is not something that you ever get to forget about having. And it affects some of the best parts of your life - what's more beautiful than cooking and sharing a meal….and getting to celebrate by having a big birthday cake and cupcakes with your friends?"
Teigen says the entire experience with Miles has caused her to have more empathy for other families struggling with T1D diagnoses - especially those that have multiple children with the condition or may not have access to care. "It's a really tough thing to have on your plate, when you have so much going on as a parent already," she says.
How the Diagnosis Has Changed Teigen's Outlook on Health
Teigen says wellness and self-care looks a lot different for her now. "I make choices that are best for my family now. I'm not much of a meditator. When it comes to self-care, what I've gotten a lot better at is making decisions that benefit where I want to be more. Being able to say, I can't take that on right now, I'm sorry," she says. Often times that means declining events to be home with her kids, which she says is way more fulfilling.
"I really love being at home, I love doing arts and crafts. Luna is so artsy. Miles is super active, so he tends to do those more active things with John. But I love that I get to be home for all of it," she says. "It's really nice that I can finally feel like not such a huge people pleaser with things. That to me is my self-care."
Mercey Livingston is a writer and editor with 8+ years of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition for media outlets and brands including Well+Good, Shape, and Women's Health. She was previously the Fitness Editor at Peloton, and held editorial roles at Equinox, Shape.com, and Well+Good. Mercey is a NASM-CPT and a NASM-certified Women's Fitness Specialist. She is also a certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition with an additional certification in Hormone Health. She has a BA in Journalism from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Chrissy Teigen Opens Up About Her Family's Overwhelming Journey With Type 1 Diabetes )
Also on site :