In honor of World Diabetes Awareness Day, 10-year-old Thaymen Rolfsmyer of Great Falls talked with MTN News about his two-year-battle with Type 1 diabetes.
Last year, Thaymen and his father spoke about their initial reactions to the diagnosis, explaining that it was difficult to deal with. Now that Thaymen’s had more time to adjust to life with diabetes, he has a different outlook.
“I can do everything. I can eat anything I want, depending on my blood sugar. I can eat as many carbs as I want, depending on my blood sugar. I can do anything,” Thaymen said.
But that doesn’t make his condition any less severe. He requires the aid of various medications and an emergency backpack he nicknamed his ‘pancreas.’ He said, “This bag has everything I need to keep me alive."
While Rolfsmyer requires nearly a dozen medications to keep him alive, he doesn’t want others to pity him.
“I’ve noticed a lot of people are like really sorry for me...I’m doing fine and I’m taking care of myself,” Thaymen said.
He has a message for his supportive family: “I know they will support me in my whole entire life...Thank you for keeping me alive,” Thaymen said.
His family hopes that Thaymen’s story will alert others to the symptoms of diabetes so they can receive proper treatment.
Click here to learn more about World Diabetes Day .
Here is our feature with Thaymen from last year:
