Why I Almost Wish Riley was Diagnosed at a Younger Age

I read a news story this morning that made me cry.

Here are a few of the highlights that jumped out at me:


Ryan Collins of Aldie, Va., was only 10 weeks old when doctors made the diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes.

10 weeks old are you kidding me? How horrible. Why would I wish Riley was diagnosed that young? Keep reading.


Until last month, that is, when Ryan, now almost 7, stopped needing shots.

A dream come true.

Dr. Hattersley has also helped show that diabetes diagnosed in the first six months of life is monogenic. And about half those cases are caused by a particular mutation that can be overcome by sulfonylurea pills, an old and inexpensive class of diabetes drugs.

What does that mean for little Ryan?

Ryan now takes three small pills with breakfast and three with dinner. His body is making insulin again, and his blood sugar is better controlled than when he was taking all those shots.

“He’s ecstatic,” Ms. Collins said. “For this summer, I’m signing him up for summer camp, which he’s never been able to do before.”

I'm so happy for this little guy and his family. Can you imagine what it must be like to be free from the confines of insulin? He's never known any other way of life.

You can read the full story here: Some Diabetics Don’t Have What They Thought They Had.