{"id":34206,"date":"2013-10-16T08:32:05","date_gmt":"2013-10-16T12:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=34206"},"modified":"2015-12-27T15:46:07","modified_gmt":"2015-12-27T20:46:07","slug":"diabetes-doesnt-slow-down-this-racecar-driver-an-interview-with-charlie-kimball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=34206","title":{"rendered":"Diabetes Doesn\u2019t Slow Down this Racecar Driver: An Interview with Charlie Kimball"},"content":{"rendered":"

I must confess that I don\u2019t know a thing about racecar driving. That is, I didn\u2019t until I interviewed racecar driver and type one diabetic Charlie Kimball.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of our conversation, Kimball, INDYCAR Series driver of the No. 83 NovoLog\u00ae FlexPen\u00ae Honda, explained his perspective on diabetes by saying how one should \u201ctreat it like an injury\u2026never be afraid to talk about it.\u201d From there, we both were able to share our stories with each other and I learned about the notable innovations he and his team have made in the world of racing.<\/p>\n

\"Charlie<\/a><\/p>\n

Kimball\u2019s passion for racing developed at the age of nine when he started racing go-karts. Once he received his driver\u2019s license, he got into entry level racing and worked his way up the ladder. By the time he graduated high school, Kimball decided he \u201ceither wanted to design racecars\u201d or \u201cdrive them for a career.\u201d Kimball got the opportunity to go to Europe to develop his career as a racecar driver. While overseas, Kimball was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of 22.<\/p>\n

In 2007, a simple visit to the doctor turned into something of much greater magnitude when Kimball learned he lost 25 pounds in a matter of five days. \u201cAs an athlete, I didn\u2019t have 25 pounds to lose,\u201d Kimball explained. \u201cBecause my blood glucose was so high, I didn\u2019t even realize that I lost that weight.\u201d<\/p>\n

After some more tests were conducted, Kimball discovered that he was a type one diabetic. He admits that he had \u201ca very limited knowledge of what diabetes was\u2026what it meant for me as a person, what it meant for me as an athlete\u2026more importantly, what it meant for my career as a racing driver.\u201d However, once he visited the Diabetes Specialty Center in Oxford, his fears were alleviated when the doctor told him \u201cthere are incredible people doing amazing things all over the world with diabetes. You may have to make some adjustments, but it shouldn\u2019t get in the way of what you want to do in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

At this point, Kimball had to figure out how he could be \u201ccompetitive at the level [he] wanted to\u201d as a newly diagnosed diabetic. In 2009, he moved back to the United States to focus on managing both his diabetes and his racing.<\/p>\n

Kimball worked with his doctor and team to develop solutions that allow him to manage diabetes on- and off-the-track. He describes that much of his diabetes management occurs before he steps into the racecar. Kimball says that \u201con race day, just like any day, I regularly check my blood sugar.\u201d\u00a0 He added that preparing \u201cmeans that when I get into the racecar, if things go to plan, I don\u2019t have to think about or worry about my diabetes management.\u201d Furthermore, diabetes-related concerns are alleviated due to the interior of Kimball\u2019s racecar that makes it unique compared to other cars. The cockpit has monitoring technology so Kimball can keep track of blood sugar during a race, as well as lap time and oil pressure. The combination of careful management and technological advancements make the racing experience optimal for Kimball.<\/p>\n

These amazing additions in Kimball\u2019s car add to the remarkable accomplishments he has made in his career. When asked about memorable moments in his career so far, Kimball talks about how \u201cbeing able to break down the barrier and be the first licensed driver with diabetes to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and to make that history was incredible\u201d. He hopes to \u201cmake a positive impact in the diabetes community\u201d and how \u201chaving a partner like Novo Nordisk to tell that story is invaluable. If you\u2019ll pardon the pun here, being on my own, I don\u2019t have the horsepower to get as big a reach as I would like. With their help, I\u2019ve been able to reach a bigger audience and make a bigger impact.\u201d Kimball says that as a diabetes ambassador, \u201cit\u2019s important to remind people living with diabetes that with the right tools, you don\u2019t have to let diabetes slow you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a result of Kimball\u2019s hard work and dedication, he made history this past August by being the first diabetic racecar driver to win an IndyCar race. Kimball says that this great accomplishment \u201cwas additional validation to me that you can truly live your dream with diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if he had any advice to share with diabetic individuals trying to turn their dreams into a reality, Kimball says \u201cif you have a goal and an incentive for good management, then it\u2019s much easier to integrate your management into everyday life because you\u2019re motivated to do it well so you can be successful at your chosen endeavor.\u201d With this in mind, diabetic individuals can make any dream come true, whether it is big or small.<\/p>\n

Kimball shares his ventures with the diabetic community via Twitter (@racewithinsulin) and his personal website, www.charliekimball.com<\/a>. These outlets keep him connected to the diabetic community that he feels fortunate \u201cto be a part of\u2026it\u2019s one of the strongest and best communities in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kimball is an example of an individual who has made an impact in the diabetic community by successfully pursuing his dreams without diabetes slowing him down. My conversation with him was truly inspiring, and I can\u2019t wait to see him accomplish more as his career progresses.<\/p>\n

*Photo by LAT USA\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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