Customer Stories

"I resisted going on a pump because
of the encumbrance and the risk of
tubes freezing up. The OmniPod
addresses these concerns."

 

When cross-country skier Kris Freeman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000 at the age of 19, he was told that his career was over.  However, a combination of personal strength, perseverance and the right tools for diabetes management has helped Kris excel at one of the toughest endurance sports.  He is a 10-time national champion, the number one cross-country skier in the United States and the second most successful American cross-country skier of all time. He will be competing in his third Olympics this February in Vancouver.

 

 

I started skiing at the age of 2 and began competing at the age of six as a nordic combined skier. In my early teens, I found that my true passion was cross-country skiing. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during a routine physical in 2000.  The doctor came in and told me that I had diabetes and it would prevent me from competing in the sport I loved.  Maybe I was somewhat in denial, but I just could not accept that this disease was going to stop me.

I spent a lot of time researching diabetes on the Internet and learned a lot about the benefits of exercise and how to eat and manage diabetes.  I’ve learned to accept diabetes for the huge inconvenience that it is, but also recognize that it has made me more aware of my goals and more dedicated to achieving them.   If I have to take insulin or check my blood sugar frequently in order to compete, then that’s just what I’ve got to do.

I resisted going on a pump because of the encumbrance and the risk of the tubes freezing up.  The OmniPod addresses these concerns. I can wear the OmniPod during my hardest training, and in the shower as well, which makes a difference in my busy life.  The OmniPod stays on the back of my arm comfortably, and I can easily control it and refine my insulin delivery from the PDM. No injections, and no hassle. It’s durable enough for the toughest conditions I face during competition. And off the slopes, it gives me freedom to live an active, healthy life, while maintaining great control of my diabetes.

Up until now, few athletes with type 1 diabetes have competed in an Olympic endurance sport.  I have a good chance of not only becoming the first athlete with type 1 diabetes to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing, but also the first American cross-country skier in 33 years to win an Olympic medal.

I want to make sure that no other child is told that they have to give up their dreams when diagnosed with diabetes. Being an Olympic athlete allows me to send an important message to everyone living with diabetes: You can do anything with this disease as long as you manage it properly.