Rob Palmer: Dancing Star and Diabetes Hero
Rob Palmer has won the exciting Grand Finale of Dancing with the Stars, and the type 1 diabetes community is abuzz with the news.
Rob has had type 1 diabetes since he was 7 years old, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was delighted to be selected as Rob’s charity for the competition.
Through the 10 episodes of Dancing with the Stars, the type 1 diabetes community got right behind TV tradie Rob. They were joined by thousands of viewers and the judging panel, who said Rob’s enthusiasm and dedication to his dancing journey had been unprecedented.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation sent Rob a booklet full of messages from supporters, which Rob described as ‘a real tear-jerker’. Thank you to all those who contributed a message of support to Rob.
JDRF President Sue Alberti sent sincere congratulations to Rob for his dancing achievements and told him ‘you are a champion in more ways than one’.
Rob’s approach to managing type 1 diabetes is simply to live life to the fullest. “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.”
With his positive attitude and warm personality, Rob has become a important role model for people with type 1 diabetes. One message sent through the JDRF website from a nine-year-old boy said “You have shown me I can do anything I want in life when I get older like you.”
Congratulations to Rob Palmer.
Find out more about Rob’s win on the Dancing with the Stars website.
JDRF’s mission has been constant since it was founded four decades ago: to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Until a cure is found, JDRF is also committed to working tirelessly to develop new and better treatments to improve the lives of people who have type 1 diabetes and keep them as healthy as possible. If you would like to help JDRF achieve our mission, click here.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JDRF, mommywhatisdiabetes, Gloria Loring, JDRF, JDRF and others. JDRF said: RT @jdrf: Rob Wins Dancing for Diabetes! http://dlvr.it/4QsYn [...]
We need more celebrities like Rob who also have type 1 to talk about it publicly and show our children that they can lead as normal life as anyone else, also the more it's talked about the more people will understand what this illness is all about.
Good on you Rob! i knew you could do it! I agree, Carolyn. When i told people about my daughter and husbands diagnoses recently, all their questions or comments all related to type 2 diabetes. People really do not have an understanding of what type 1 diabetes is all about. I have found that people i know that have been living with or know someone that has type 2 still comment about type 1 as if it is the same as type 2. It is very frustrating.
Rob, you are a real inspiration. In a world where people get bogged down with their problems it was wonderful to be uplifted by your amazing positive outlook on life. You are an excellent role model for young people living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Thank you for being a great embassador for the Type 1 cause.
Rob, I watched throughout the competition. You were absolutely amazing. It was a journery I thoroughly enjoyed. Our children with type 1 look up to you as a role model., Having you in their lives means so much to them and their families. Your positive approach to life is inspirational.
I agree Lisa, i live in a small town and alot of people there believe that i got my Diabetes from being unhealthy and eating junk. I have been bullied about it and im the only child with it here in this town.
I have Diabetes and had it since i was 4. Im 14 now and for the last couple of months i have been skipping sugar tests and needles and not caring about my diabetes. My levels wore extremly high and i kept getting sick. I have been doing those things due to bullying. I am slowly getting back on track but i have treated my diabetes like nothing for ages and now i am scared that something bad will happen and cause me to lose a leg or somthing in the near future. Im just saying this cause i really needed to say somthing. Im not trying to be a rebbel but its just so hard to deal with when teachers and students dont understand and im left trying to deal with sugar levels by myself. When i have a high sugar level i cant leave class to have a drink or go to the toylit, i once peed my pants during class earlier this year because of it. I am hoping for a Pump.
Go Rob, you are my hero!
Jessica, I have just read your note. Do not feel alone with your diabetes. Please email your details to the National Office of JDRF c/- Sue Alberti and I will be in touch with you.
Our daughter Ellen (8 yrs old) was diagnosed type 1 about 10 weeks ago. Ellen has looked up to Rob to see all that is positive and what can be achieved even if you have type 1. When most girls might follow rockstars, she followed Rob on Dancing with the Stars and also on Better Homes and Gardens. Ellen (and us parents) have been getting to know and manage this disease (as best you can) and having such an effervescent and lively 'ambassador' for type 1 diabetes as Rob has enable all of us to ensure that we do not let diabetes rule our lives but to focus on what you want to achieve and manage accordingly. In my daughter's eyes, Rob's involvement has been a huge positive at a time when her life was changing to deal with type 1 diabetes. A big thanks to Rob and all the team at JDRF.
Rob,
I was sitting in the front row as you performed in the final. You were fantastic! When it was announced that you had won, I cried ! Thanks for giving your time to not only bring JDRF into the public domain and have people talk about it, but show lots of kids how you can do anything with diabetes.- Im a mum with a 15yr old boy who is at that interesting stage in his life, parties, girls early alcohol warnings! On a daily basis I live with major anxiety about something I have no control over and wish I could take it away from him. It does not discriminate, it takes no break, its there until that day they find that cure. Hope my son turns out to be as wonderful as you.
Cheers
N
Hi Michael just read your comment – I have a 15 yr old who was diagnosed at the same age. Tell Ellen that she can use her diabetes to teach others (kids) about it and maybe one day can also become an ambassador for JDRF.
Hang in there.
Cheers
Nadia
Rob Thank you thank you thank you. You are a champion. Thanks so much for bringing type 1 into peoples living rooms. My daughter now 10 has had type 1 for 4 years and we are still struggling to get her levels right. She dances several times a week & loved watching you each week. A million thank you's to you & your family.
On another note I agree that the general public MUST be made aware that people with Type 1 did not get it because they ate the wrong foods or are overweight. Its time the government paid for national Tv ads to educate the public. Its very upsetting when people including family have no idea & make hurtful comments which relate to type 2.
Hi Michael. hope things are improving for your family. There is a really good facebook page where you can ask questions and share ideas it was set up by a mother of a child with type 1. "Parents of children with type 1 diabetes" its an international site.
I agree with your comment Sharlene. I have been type 1 diabetic for almost 1 year, was diagnosed on 26th September 2009 at age 28. Type 1 does not discriminate but also affects adults too.
I proud of how I have handled my diagnosis and have been able to have a steady HbA1C of 5.6 for the last 9 months. I am now pregnant with my first child and fear that my baby might inherit this dreadful condition. My fingers are crossed for a cure some time soon.
The frustrating part for me is not the constant checking of BGL's or injections at every meal, its the uneducated comments people make in reference to diabetes. Why do all people assume if you are diabetic you are Type 2 and have brought this on ourselves? My aim is to educate those who make comments about my condition and correct them by telling them my lifestyle, the foods I eat, etc had no bearing on my diagnosis 12 months ago.
The sooner people are educated on the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes the better I say!
And a big CONGRATULATIONS to Rob for bringing Type 1 diabetes to the public domain. Well done. You inspire us all.
Proud of you Rob!! Our daughter h
as been Type 1 since 10 years old. She is now 34 and the mother of two beautiful children, both well and healthy (we are hoping it stays that way!!) She has never let her diabetes stand in her way. She is a qualified accountant, played A1 standard netball, coached and umpired netball. We find her attitude similar to Rob's – just go for it! We have been fortunate that she had a very understanding well-informed teacher when first diagnosed. It does make a big difference. We agree with all other comments that the general public must be educated in the difference.
A close friend's daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 at 38 years of age and asked me to really sit her mother down and explain the difference as she couldn't get through to her. Sad! Keep up the good work JDRF.
Hang in there Tracey. It wasn't easy for our daughter to have her two beautiful children – hard work, but as she says well worth all the extra testing, doctor's visits, etc. We wish you well for your pregnancies. Neither of her children have shown signs.
Firstly I would like to congratulate Rob and Thank him for opening the communication channels on Type 1 Diabetes. My husband is a type 1 diabetic and he was diagnosed in his early thirties, type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with food or lifestyle as my husband is near 6 foot tall and very fit and has been all his life. We have been married for 3 years and each time we discussed having children we always revert back to the possibility that our child will inherit type 1 diabetes and change our minds. Finally we made the decision to try for a child and not allow this disease to influence our decision. I am now 5 months pregnant and both my husband and I are excited about the new addition within our family and hope that we will be blessed with a diabetic free child..Thank you Rob and JDRF from all who have Type 1 diabetes in their lives
Rob you are fantastic. You brought a "taboo" subject to the notice of those around us! My little girl was diagnosed almost 2 years ago, at age 2y 8m. Its a tough road we lead, but we hang in there.
I have extended an invitation to yourself through the JDRF office to attend a fundraising event being held in NSW in October, so I hope you can attend!
Congratulations Rob, you are an Inspiration………my son who is 9 yrs old thinks you're a champion & so do I. We watched the whole series & voted every week for you. It brought tears to my eyes when you were announced the winner………Well done!! Thank you so much for supporting this much needed cause, hopefully it will increase the awareness. Our society needs to know the difference between Type 1 & 2.
During the filming of Dancing with the stars, our son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He is 16 years old. It made it very clear to us, that he could be extremely active and live life to the fullest. The amount of people that kept saying to us "you know that guy who won Dancing With The Stars, also has diabetes" The amount of awareness your dancing venture created was simply inspirational. Two days after our son got out of hospital, he was on a bus on an excursion with his school over 150kms away from home. He figured that life had to go on, and it didn't stop you, so why should diabetes stop him. Thankyou Rob for being a great role model to our young folk who share this ailment (for the want of a better word), with you. Keep up the great work!!!!
Congratulations Rob and thank-you for the support and inspiration. My son, Michael, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 18 months and back in 2000 there wasn't nearly as much awareness of the disease in the community. We still have a long way to go and I agree with the comments I have read here today. It is so important to have positive role models and a supportive organisation such as JDRF.
My husband (38years) was diagnosed 3 weeks before my 7 year old daughter recently. When she was in emergency i had an arguement with a nurse about my husbands diagnoses. She told me he couldn't have type 1 that it had to be type 2, because type 1 is a "childhood disease".Even the nurses haven't got any understanding of the difference.
Good luck Tracey with your pregnancy and the birth. It will be all worth it in the end.
You poor girl. There are some cruel people out there. My heart aches for you.
I can't believe that you don't have the support of the teachers at your school. Maybe you need a diabetic educator to go out and make a special trip to your school to speak with the teachers and students. Jessica you stay strong and get some help and support from the T1 diabetic community.
You are in my thoughts and prayers
Mel (7 year old daughter and husband has type 1 diabetes)
Lisa, my heart goes out to you and all type 1 diabetics. I am sure spreading the word. I make sure everytime i tell someone about my daughter and husbands diagnoses i tell them all about type 1 and how it is different to type 2.
Hi Guys and girls
I am very familiar with just about every comment here. I have had type1 since the age of 8, I'm now 35. What happened to that cure they were so confident about? How time flies.
I blame the uneducated ill informed media for blurring the lines on type1 and type2, particularly the journalists who should do a tad more research. It is there job is it not?
Anyhow, besides all that I would hope this website doesn’t decide to censor this, but if you’re after a little hope, like real hope check out Dr Faustmans research in the Massachusetts general hospital. Or email me bartristuccia@yahoo.com.au for more info.
So does anyone have Rob Palmers number? I’m sure he would want to know about Dr Faustman.
Thanks and keep your chin up people.