JDRF is dancing with the stars!
TV’s best loved carpenter and DIY star is Rob Palmer from Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens. This year he is swapping his khakis for sequins to compete on Dancing with the Stars. As a celebrity contestant, Rob has chosen JDRF to receive his prize-money and he told us why finding a cure for type 1 diabetes is a mission close to his heart.
Rob’s life with type 1 diabetes began when he was just 7 years old. En route to a holiday to Queensland, the Palmer family stopped in Tamworth with a very sick little boy. A local doctor told his parents to get him to the Children’s Hospital in Camperdown as soon as possible and ‘keep his fluids up’. Dutifully his parents fed him lemonade throughout the 400 km drive, with stops every 15 minutes or so for little Rob to throw up or go to the toilet. His diabetes diagnosis came just in the nick of time, with a blood glucose level of 64 mmol/L, followed by two weeks in intensive care.
Like around 6 Australians every day, Rob’s life changed dramatically when he entered the world of needles, carb-counting and BGLs. “I was lucky and recovered pretty quickly but my parents bore the brunt of my diabetes early on. There was so much to remember about food and testing. They encouraged me to have as normal a life as possible and keep playing lots of sport. After that blip in hospital I just continued being a kid.”
Rob has built a successful television career and is a much-loved member of the Better Homes and Gardens team, as the DIY and trade tips presenter. Dancing is definitely a new string to his bow. “Let’s just say my partner (Alana Patience) has a desperate situation on her hands. She is basically teaching a block of wood how to dance.” His schedule is jam-packed, with every moment between shooting Better Homes and Gardens dedicated to dance practice.
The hectic routine is keeping Rob on his toes but after so many years with type 1 diabetes, he is confident about his management. “I’ve always been heavily involved in sport and adrenalin makes my sugar levels rise. Today I did a full dress rehearsal with lots of dancing, but I was so excited that it pushed my sugars up not down. Sometimes I go against accepted wisdom and give myself insulin before sport, to account for the excitement and adrenalin. Everyone is a bit different.”
While Rob is busy with dual roles as DIY guru and dancing apprentice, his wife and kids are overseas visiting relatives in Wales. “I miss them a lot but my wife is amazing, she told me to go for it. Thank God for technology,” says Rob. His 2 year old daughter tried to kiss and hug him the other day through the computer screen. “The important thing is that I don’t get voted off the show before my family gets home!”
“Dancing with the Stars is an absolute fun-fest. I thought that learning to dance would be a laugh as well as a good thing to get under my belt, I didn’t realise how much fun I would be having.” Lucky for JDRF, all this fun is for a wonderful cause, supporting Australian research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.
“JDRF has been part of my life since I have had diabetes.” Rob remembers owning a JDF t-shirt as a Youth Ambassador, back in the days when the Foundation was known as Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Rob chose JDRF because of the focus on research. “Kids don’t have any say about getting type 1 diabetes, it’s hard and it’s unfair and I would love to see the day when no one else is diagnosed with this disease.” On the positive side, Rob’s advice on type 1 diabetes is to fit into your life. “I say ‘yes’ first and work out how to manage diabetes after. Whatever you do, don’t let type 1 diabetes make your decisions for you.”
To vote for Rob Palmer and support JDRF, call 1902 55 77 11 or SMS Rob to 191 777
MNET Group 55c max cost. Mobile calls to 1902 extra. Helpline 1300 851 419.
Final voting closes: 29/08/2010 at 18:30 AEST. Terms & Conditions available at yahoo7.com.au/tv
Watch Dancing with the Stars on Sundays at 6.30 pm (AEST) on Channel Seven or view Rob’s profile on the official Dancing with the Stars website.
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You go Rob. Our 7 year old daughter was diagnosed last year and she is so excited that you are on Dancing with the stars and raising funds for JDRF.
Best of luck Rob. You looked like you were having fun on DWTS the other night, but then you always look like you're having fun!
Great to see you supporting JDRF, even if it's no great surprise that you would.
Good on you Rob. I was diagonosed with type 1 at 19yrs. i cant imagine what it would be like as a child… go all the way xx
Congrats Rob. My 10 year old daughter has had T1 for 4 years she is very exicted that you are on DWTS she loves dancing and dances several hours a week. Its great for kids to see that diabetics can lead a full & normal life. thanks
My son is 25. He is adopted and has down syndrome…he is happy with his lot in life but hates being type 1 diabetic. his mental state has improved greatly since he saw u on dancing….thankyou
Rob, You are a living legend, I wish you all the best of luck with dancing with the stars. My 5 years old grandson was diagnosed last week and reading your story is giving us the strength and courage needed to support his parents during this honeymoon period and beyond. God bless you and your family.
congrats to you for the great effort tonight, you were fantastic!
And big kudos to your wife for getting out there and supporting you, it was really nice to see your genuine struggle with the intimacy of the dancing and the way she gave you her blessings to get out there and live in the character.
also thanks for promoting JDRF, I have a loved one with IDDM and can't wait for the day a cure comes x
Thankyou for promoting JDRF my 3 year old granddaughter was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. It has been devastating to the whole family, Good luck on dancing with the stars, you appear to be having a great time.
as a family with a 6 year old type 1 who was diagnosed 1 year ago it is so great for her to have it reinforced "you can do anything" kid first , type 1 second!!
Hi Rob, that's my son Matt in the photo with you at the Opera House. He gets SO excited when he sees you on TV – even on the ads for DWTS! He's had type 1 for almost 8 years now and apart from some sad days every now and then, he just figures that he can do anything when he grows up just like anyone else. Thanks for being such a positive, fantastic role model.
Hi Rob, what a fantastic example you are of showing how Type 1 diabetes is not going to stop you having a life that overflows with vitality and fun. We just love watching Dancing with the Stars but I shall love it even more now knowing that I am a 62 year old type 1 staring in awe of you on that dance floor. Youv'e certainly won our vote! Rosie
Congratulations Rob, you are an inspiration. Our son was diagnosed 4 years ago and it has been a rollacoaster ride trying to keep on top of the diabetes. You really look like you are having fun and we enjoy watching you every week. It is great that you are bringing public awareness to the condition. Good luck with the dancing hope you make it all the way.
Hi Rob,
I had no idea you had Diabetes and had not been watching the show. Now that I know we will watch and support you. I am sure my 11 year old daughter who has been living with T1D since she was 2 and also dances several hours a week will be thrilled when I tell her about you!!! Good luck and thanks for taking the need to find a cure into everyday Australian homes.
We have always loved you on Better Homes and Gardens..but LOVE you even more now Rob ! Our beautiful Grace (15) is in her second year now..wow..what a bombshell for all families ! Hang in there everyone ! Grace dances 4 hours per week, and we all rush home to be in front of the telly to watch " OUR ROB "…go Rob..P.S. when you are finished DWTS, please visit us at Pottsville !! Spread the word everyone..familiy and friends..vote for Rob Palmer !…
Melissa..my heart goes out to you..hang in there girlfriend !! what a strong family..xx
Not a regular watcher of DWTS but always enjoyed your spirit. As a diabetic for 25+years i know what it can be like when you take on something different and the way you present yourself is admirable and an inspiration to all the others who have to face life and get out there and enjoy life and don't let it pass you by.
Hi Rob
All the best with DWTS. You are an inspiration! Our daughter was diagnosed at eight years of age just under 3 years ago. JDRF is a wonderful cause and close to our hearts.
Your last comment "Whatever you do, don’t let type 1 diabetes make your decisions for you.” brought tears to my eyes. I am going to make sure that we do live the future to those words especially for our daughter!
Susie
Thank you Beattie Family! I met a few T1 diabetic families while in the John Hunter Hospital. I can say one thing they were very strong and gorgeous people with enormous hearts.
My daughter has been type 1 since december last year when she was only two so I know about the brunt of diabetes your parents dealt with and I continue to deal with it hoping for a cure. I am doing the walk for diabetes and am so glad you are supporting research as well. It's all we can do about the situation after all. Rob your smile on dancing with the stars gives me hope of a normal life for my daughter and I hope everyday for a cure for you both and all the other sufferers. Heather
My 2 little 9 yr old twin grandaughters both have diabetes-one since she was 2 and the other since 4. They have been able to manage it well with the help of their very dedicated family and are now on insulin pumps. They are very active little girls and live life to the fullest! It is wonderful for them to see you on DWTS and know that they can achieve whatever they want in life and not be restricted by their diabetes.
Good luck with the show-we will be cheering you on!
Oh Marnie! ..are the girls identical ? My twins are not, but I am so anxious that Maddie will follow Grace..Grace now also wears her hot pink pump..I am very interested in learning if other twins follow each other..we are only newbies.. but .would love to hear from any other sets of twins.
P.S. .their mum must be amazing ! xx
Hi Rob,
Both my boys are type 1 diabetics (youngest diagnosed age 9 and my other son was diagnosed only in the last two years. My nephew also has type 1 diabetes also diagnosed at a young age. You are an inspiration to all and I hope for all that a cure is found (I am very positive that this will occur soon). I am cheering you on and wishing you all the best. Pat x
Yes, Bernadette, Keely and Skye are identical twins so the chance of them both developing diabetes was much higher than normal. Although they have diabetes they are very normal, active little girls and are able to do everything their friends can do, so don't despair. They recently attended their first diabetes camp. It was a good way to meet other kids their age with diabetes, and they had a ball.
My daughter IS amazing….I take my hat off to her and am in awe of her and how she handles the constant day to day care of the girls. Life has been easier for everyone since they went onto pumps in April, 2009, though they have always had good control.
How old are your girls and how long has Grace had diabetes? Don't despair……hopefully things can only get better with all the research and medical advances.
HI ROB,
What an amazing job you did last night,you deserve to be in the final!!! You are just inspirational to all the parents out there who have kids with type 1diabetes. my little 5yr old had it since jan 09,we also have a 14yr old with Touretts syndome; so all you parents out there just keep strong & my god bless you& all your familys,beacause some days are so hard; my son will be getting the pump next month[ hope life will be a bit easier.] Thanks so much rob,we are all voting for you, watching you helps us know that anything is possible for our special kids.
Hi Rob,
We are so inspired to see you on DWTS. You are a fantastic ambassador and inspiration to all Type 1 Diabetics to show that anything is possible and that this illness shouldn't stop you from doing anything you want to do. Your positive spirit is infectious. I have an amazing 15 year old daughter who has had Type 1 Diabetes from the age of 10 years. She also doesn't let this illness slow her down and we are very proud of her. We are so hopeful that a cure can be found soon and look forward to the day when Type 1 Diabetes will be no more. Congratulations and go all the way.
Grace and Maddie are 15..Gracie is coming up to her 2nd anniversary in October..We are still in shock to be honest..as we are mad sports family, did notice a slight weight loss and thirst but after touch footy, basketball and 2 dance lessons a week , thought we were just a little run down as a family.. Was I wrong !@#$ ..We sent Grace on the seniors camp the first year..as we live Nth NSW, not alot of teen support…reading the other family stories has been a great exercise for me, as there is always someone who can relate to our feelings..Thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with me Marnie..God Bless..girl power rules !!!!!!..double the love !!
Saw you live in Northern NSW…..so do we!! What a coincidence!
You have made it to my son's top list of "People I want to be like", there's you and Nick Jonas lol… Newly diagnoised 2 months ago, my 10year old son know's he can do anything just like you! We are inspired by your words – “I say ‘yes’ first and work out how to manage diabetes after. Whatever you do, don’t let type 1 diabetes make your decisions for you.” We will be watching and voting!!
You're a STAR, Rob. My daughter was also 7 when she became Type 1 Diabetic. You're an inspiration.
Congratulations, Rob. You are an inspiration to everyone with diabetes, especially kids such as my two granddaughters. Well done !!!
Congratulations Rob on your success. I was delighted to see you win and raise the profile for JDRF. YOu are inspriational. My only concern was that in your final speech while you alluded to the fact that people with diabetes can do anything, you didn't mention the day to day struggle and balancing act the people with type 1 diabetes face everyday. As the mother of 13 year old boy with type 1 diabetes, i imagine that balancing the greulling day to day routine of practicing your dancing with your blood sugare levels was quite difficult. The reason i say this is that i dont think people realise how difficult it is for children and their families to deal with this EVERY day of their life.
Hi Rob Congratulations,on the win with DWTS, my son was diagnosed on 3rd March 2009 and has been watching you dance every week with his little sister, Tom loves karate and had been training for just over a year when he was put into the ICU, and had come runner up at his only tounament, and thought he was finished competing, in August 2009 he competed in Sydney at the Australian Championships, with the attitude of going there and in his words saying ` I am Thomas Zambon I am diabetic and look what I can do` he won that weekend and since then has won 3 other tounaments including the Victorian State Championships and coming fourth at the NSW state championships, he was so proud watching you on dancing and wants to be a role model to others just like you have been to so many to other parents out there diabetes dose not need to limit what can be achieved let them fly hang on tight and see where you land we did and Thomas is our inspiration when times get tough, in his wisdom at nine he says` just breath`
Thank you Rob for giving me the best entertainment ever. You are a very special guy and truly deserved to win. I like many others will miss you and loved watching your journey with dancing with the stars.