Nigel’s Story

A few weeks after Nigel started seventh grade, he started feeling sick. His doctor suspected that he may have Type I Diabetes and referred him immediately to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. There in the emergency room, Nigel and his family were met by a warm, competent team of doctors, nurses and staff. Nigel’s parents Sharon and Dave knew their son was in a life-threatening situation, but also knew that this team would give him the care he needed.

After his diagnosis of Type I Diabetes was confirmed, Nigel and his family began three days of care and instructions at Nationwide Children’s. Once the immediate danger passed, the staff patiently trained them on how to manage day-to-day life with the condition.

Since then, they’ve received care through the Endocrinology Clinic that has been encouraging, empowering and comprehensive. Nigel also benefitted from a middle school support group at the hospital with others experiencing Type I Diabetes.

“All the care our son has received has balanced the need to look soberly into the face of a serious condition with the need for him to still be a kid. The staff has challenged him to do his best but has never upbraided him for missteps. They’ve encouraged him to carefully count carbs, while handing him a list of carb counts for Halloween candy. This balance of competent care with whimsy has greatly lightened my son’s load,” says Sharon.

Type I Diabetes is a major focus of the Endocrinology Section at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The multidisciplinary team works together to care for patients and families affected by the disease. The goal is to empower families to successfully manage the disease at home in order to provide as normal a life as possible for patients with Type I Diabetes.

Today, Nigel is a thriving, talented teenager who recently performed in the Outback Bowl half time show in Tampa, Florida with his Centennial High School Marching Band. When he’s not playing the clarinet, he enjoys his high school Bible study, watching IndyCar racing, listening to classic rock and spending time with his friends and older brother.

Nigel says that he always leaves his appointments at Nationwide Children’s feeling encouraged, that people there respect and esteem the work he’s doing to manage his condition – and urge him on.

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A few weeks after Nigel started seventh grade, he started feeling sick. His doctor suspected that he may have Type I Diabetes and referred him immediately to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. There in the emergency room, Nigel and his family were met by a warm, competent team of doctors, nurses and staff. Nigel’s parents Sharon and Dave knew their son was in a life-threatening situation, but also knew that this team would give him the care he needed.

After his diagnosis of Type I Diabetes was confirmed, Nigel and his family began three days of care and instructions at Nationwide Children’s. Once the immediate danger passed, the staff patiently trained them on how to manage day-to-day life with the condition.

Since then, they’ve received care through the Endocrinology Clinic that has been encouraging, empowering and comprehensive. Nigel also benefitted from a middle school support group at the hospital with others experiencing Type I Diabetes.

“All the care our son has received has balanced the need to look soberly into the face of a serious condition with the need for him to still be a kid. The staff has challenged him to do his best but has never upbraided him for missteps. They’ve encouraged him to carefully count carbs, while handing him a list of carb counts for Halloween candy. This balance of competent care with whimsy has greatly lightened my son’s load,” says Sharon.

Type I Diabetes is a major focus of the Endocrinology Section at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The multidisciplinary team works together to care for patients and families affected by the disease. The goal is to empower families to successfully manage the disease at home in order to provide as normal a life as possible for patients with Type I Diabetes.

Today, Nigel is a thriving, talented teenager who recently performed in the Outback Bowl half time show in Tampa, Florida with his Centennial High School Marching Band. When he’s not playing the clarinet, he enjoys his high school Bible study, watching IndyCar racing, listening to classic rock and spending time with his friends and older brother.

Nigel says that he always leaves his appointments at Nationwide Children’s feeling encouraged, that people there respect and esteem the work he’s doing to manage his condition – and urge him on.

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