Superkid manages life with Type 1 diabetes

By: Sandra Jordan/Special to the NNPA

Posted: 12/9/07

ST. LOUIS (NNPA) - "Brendon never got sick. That was probably the hardest part," Kynedra Ogunnaike said about her son. Playing the drums, sports, and everything about being an active 6-year-old boy came into question when Brendon Ogunnaike was challenged by a life-changing illness.

"The only thing we noticed was that he was very thirsty and he had to use the bathroom a lot - he had to urinate constantly. When he had to go, he had to go and that was new to him," she said. Ogunnaike took her son to the doctor, where her suspicions were confirmed.

It was Type 1 or juvenile onset diabetes, a rare form affecting only 5 to 10 percent of all diabetics and prevalent in eight percent of African Americans. Type 1diabetes is an autoimmune disease - T cells infiltrate the pancreas, eventually destroying the insulin-producing B-islet cells. As a result, the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin, which is used to convert/store glucose for energy in the body.

Type 1 diabetics are treated by insulin injections, because digestive fluids in the stomach would destroy an insulin pill before it could be used by the body. Brendon had to learn how to give himself shots.

"Sometimes I would be scared because I was really afraid of needles, and then I would just go ahead and do it to get it over with," said Brandon who at one time took 12 to 15 shots a day. "They hurt."

That was three years ago. Brendon, now nine, manages his insulin-dependent diabetes with an insulin pump.

"I turn it on and then I go to 'Menu,' click 'Bolus,' then I click on 'Carb Smart,' then I put in my levels and counts for the carbs that I have eaten for that meal," Brendon said. The medical term bolus refers to a large dose of a substance injected to rapidly achieve the needed therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream.

Brendon uses the insulin pump about four our five times a day, in addition to sticking his fingers about six or seven times a day to check his blood sugar levels.

Managing Brendon's diabetes is a constant job for him and his mother - especially since there's no school nurse. "That's why he has a cell phone, so he can call me if he's unsure how much medicine he should take," she said

His mother writes out a menu for him everyday and Brendon takes his lunch to school. Brendon counts carbs and knows to grab and read the nutrition guides at fast-food restaurants. However, special occasions that most families
look forward to with food celebrations laden with luscious sugar-packed deserts can add up to trouble.

This year, Brendon dressed as an Oakland Raider football player, with the understanding that Halloween candy passed his way would take him out of bounds. It's a sweet deal of a different sort.

"We started buying the candy back from Brendon. I still let him participate, but he can't eat it," she said of her compromise. "We usually go to Toys "R" Us and he will get a toy in exchange for all that candy."

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) made a big difference for the Ogunnaikes as they learned to manage Brendon's diabetes. JDRF offered support, resources and activities for children and the parents.

"They have mentors - your own person you can call anytime day or night," she said. "You get to meet other people whose lives are like yours because your whole life changes."

She says the JDRF is an untapped resource, particularly by African-American families. She said her work as a high school counselor puts her in contact with young people who are diabetics, but may not have the latest information, medicine or supplies available to them about the disease.

"Parents don't really discuss it (diabetes). JDRF has all kinds of free things - I think it's a cultural thing we would rather not deal with it," Ogunnaike said. "They send a welcome kit, a bear, information on safe places to inject, things for parents, children things you can take to school … Because they were so supportive and helpful with me I decided to get involved."

Brendon's active lifestyle with diabetes rivals most healthy kids - filled with camping, Boy Scouts and plane trips. He plays the drums at church and at school. His mother said Brendon has traveled with his drum line all over the U.S.

Brendon has another role - serving as an ambassador and a spokesperson for the local JDRF. "He has gone to many companies and given speeches about his life with diabetes," his mother said. "He is also the 'brown kid' in the Pulaski Bank diabetes commercial."

For information about Type 1 diabetes, contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org or 314-726-6778 and the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.