My Diabetes Diagnosis Came Out of Nowhere. Today, Families Can Know Sooner

I was 13 years old and in the middle of one of the Jonas Brothers’ first tours when I knew something was wrong. In just two weeks, I’d lost nearly 25 pounds. I was constantly thirsty, going to the bathroom, getting regular cramps, and my attitude had become more than that of an irritable teenager. While I didn’t know what was wrong, I knew I needed to see a doctor.Fast forward, I was sitting with the pediatrician and heard the words “You have type 1 diabetes.”Immediately, I saw my future flash before my eyes: Will I be able to perform again? Am I going to die? This certainly wasn’t what anybody predicted.I wasn’t just scared for myself; I was scared for my family. As a kid, you think your parents have everything figured out. Seeing mine just as confused and distraught as I was terrified me.For years, I accepted that my diagnosis was something no one could have anticipated. But now, more than 20 years later, I understand something I couldn't at 13: my diagnosis may have come out of nowhere, but my type 1 diabetes didn't.What most people don’t know is that 90% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history. Because of this, many families—mine included—have a massive ...