Belfast student athletes shine light on Type 1 diabetes – FOX Bangor/ABC 7 News and Stories

Monday, October 31, 2022 14:36
Written by Jodi Hersey
BELFAST–November is national diabetes awareness month. Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease that affects millions across the U.S. However, two high school students from Belfast with Type 1 diabetes are proving to others it doesn’t have to slow you down.
“I try to explain it the best I can. It’s maintaining the ratio of insulin to blood level in your blood stream,” explained Tommy Littlefield, a senior at Belfast High School.
Littlefield is an athlete who has been living with Type 1 diabetes since he was four-years-old. It’s a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
“His dad and I had to do the job as a pancreas for him,” stated Allison Littlefield, Tommy’s mother. “We felt like we were his satellite pancreas, and as he’s gotten older that burden has shifted to him. It is something he’s going to have the rest of his life until there’s a cure.”
According to diabetes.org, Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition or autoimmune disorder that shows up early in life. Type 2 diabetes is mainly lifestyle related and develops over time.
“While most people who have diabetes don’t have any family history, in our family Emma is one of five cousins who have Type 1,” explained Sierra Dietz, Emma Dietz’s mother.  “So, we knew a little bit of what we were getting into.”
Belfast High School freshman Emma Dietz was diagnosed with diabetes in 2020.
“People don’t know I have diabetes,” said Emma. “People are like, ‘Oh you have diabetes,’ and I say, ‘Yeah.’”
Both Dietz and Littlefield wear glucose monitors that give them a reading every five minutes instead of using finger prick testing. The two also wear insulin delivery systems that manage their insulin throughout the day. These devices enable Dietz to dance and Littlefield to play sports just like their peers.
“Athletics especially takes a lot of physical exertion which messes with blood sugars,” shared Tommy.
“I can’t say it’s easy because it’s not,” explained Tommy’s mom. “But it’s doable. It’s difficult but life is still good.”
 
November 1
HERMON — Sarah Collins, a fourth grade math and science teacher from Patricia A. Duran School received the …
November 1
FAIRFIELD — On election day Albion, Clinton, Benton and Fairfield residents will vote on two special referendum questions.  One …
November 1
GUILFORD — In a stark contrast from typical school classrooms with desks and a white board, students at …
November 1
STATEWIDE– Governor Janet Mills is not ready to leave the Blaine House. Mills is running for re-election in hopes …
November 1
Bar Harbor- A serious threat forced Mount Desert Island High School to go into lockdown.
November 1
HOWLAND– The town of Howland is under a boil water notice.
November 1
HANCOCK– The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is currently trying to locate a missing woman.
November 1
STATEWIDE– Concern about the ripple effect from the possible chipping away or destruction of Maine’s lobster industry on …
November 1
HARPSWELL– Police say a 21-year-old Maine man was killed after his truck flipped over in Harpswell on Monday.
November 1
A 19-year-old Florida man was arrested last week for allegedly selling seven tabs of LSD and marijuana edibles …
November 1
Leni Klum is commenting on the backlash she and her mom, Heidi Klum, received after their mother-daughter lingerie …
November 1
President Joe Biden told a room full of supporters in Hallandale Beach, Florida, on Tuesday that he spoke …
November 1
President Biden won Wisconsin by less than one percentage point in 2020, and the state remains closely divided. …
November 1
With a week until Election Day, the latest Fox News poll finds close contests in the Grand Canyon …
November 1
A Florida judge has rejected defense attorneys’ bids for accused “Killer Clown” Sheila Keen-Warren to be freed from …
November 1
Earlier this week, Kyrie Irving posted a tweet with a link to an Amazon Prime Video film that …
November 1
Texas border agents recently thwarted an attempt by four illegal immigrants to smuggle drugs into West Texas. Lt. …
November 1
University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari is tempering expectations as his No. 4 Wildcats prepare for the …
November 1
Shock and outrage continue to pour in over Migos rapper Takeoff’s shooting death, and Rich the Kid is …
November 1
Richard Reed — a star high school football player in California — was tragically killed in a fatal …
November 1
UPDATE 3:01 PM PT — Britt Reid’s attorney said in a statement following …
November 1
Trey Songz is no longer facing a civil suit for an alleged rape in 2016, because the case …
November 1
Quavo was toe-to-toe with a group of guys outside that Houston bowling alley — Takeoff and others had …
November 1
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is mourning the death of his beloved mother, Dolores … it was …
November 1
Chuck D says hip hop needs to start addressing the gun violence plaguing the industry … and killing …
November 1
Hold the Almond Joys … the Crenshaw Cougars youth football team got something wayyy better than fun-size candy …
November 1
Kevin Durant is getting what he wanted this offseason — the Brooklyn Nets have fired head coach Steve …
November 1
After not being traded from the Houston Texans on NFL trade deadline day, wide receiver Brandin Cooks posted …
November 1
The Detroit Lions fired defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant this week, just one day after Sunday’s loss to …
November 1
Billionaire Jerry Jones’ wallet could become slightly lighter if the NFL decides to fine him for his Halloween …
November 1
Earlier this week, Kyrie Irving posted a tweet with a link to an Amazon Prime Video film that …
November 1
University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari is tempering expectations as his No. 4 Wildcats prepare for the …
November 1
If there was one small crack in the Buffalo Bills’ loaded roster, it was at running back. Bills …
November 1
Mike Fanning, a first-round pick in 1975, died Sunday at age 69. Fanning made a name for himself …
November 1
The NFL trade deadline came and went and a handful of teams made moves to add reinforcement with …
November 1
The Atlanta Falcons made a shocking trade prior to the NFL deadline Tuesday, sending Pro Bowl wide receiver …

source