Q&A: Kirkwood Teen Works to End Diabetes

Stephanie Patton, a 17 year old from Kirkwood, has been named a semifinalist in the 2012 search for a Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes.

Patton, a junior at St. Joseph’s Academy in Frontenac, is one of 80 young leaders being recognized for helping make their community and the world a better place. Stephanie is the daughter of Cindy and Stephen Patton of Kirkwood.

The student is a triple threat with her singing, dancing and acting and has raised more than $125,000 for JDRF-the global leader, primary advocate and leading charitable funder of T1D research, those suffering from Juvenile Diabetes. She was diagnosed with T1D type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes on her fifth birthday.

Patton participates with the Arch City Theater Troupe (ACTT) a musical revue run by children to educate the public about diabetes and accept donations to the cause. Arch City is believed to be the only child run theater group in America.

Patton has volunteered for a variety of other JDRF-fund-raising activities, such as its annual Walk to Cure Diabetes gala auction, fund a cure, family retreats and Halloween party.

Watch Stephanie being interviewed on Fox 2 TV.

Build-A-Bear Workshop launched the Huggable Heroes program in 2004 as a way to recognize young people for their outstanding community service efforts. Participants ages eight to 18 compete for $10,000 in prize money ($7,500 in the form of a scholarship and a $2,500 contribution to the charity of their choice.)

Q&A

Patch was curious how Patton deals with Juvenile insulin dependent diabetes on a daily basis:

What is it like living with Juvenile Diabetes?

I was diagnosed on my fifth birthday so it is hard for me to remember a time without diabetes.  I have learned how to manage my diabetes and not let it define who I am.

What special things (precautions) to you do, take?

There are so many things. I always wear a medical alert bracelet and carry some sort of food  with me in case I have low blood sugar. I check my blood sugars about 6-8 times a day: before I eat a meal or snack, before I get behind the wheel of car, or take tests.

I'm a theater kid so I always check my blood sugar before I go on stage - especially  on The Muny stage because sometimes in the heat, my blood sugar gets very high. If I exercise or swim a lot during the day, (exercise lowers blood sugars) I set my alarm and check my blood sugar at 3 am in case I get low.

I always carry a blood glucose meter, insulin and food. Traveling is a real hassle and sometimes it can take awhile to get through security. I usually get padded down because of my insulin pump and all the diabetes supplies in my carry-on. We always have to make sure we have food for the plane in case of a long delay.

Have you had any spells when you were debilitated?

Yes, when I have low blood sugar, I get shaky, sweaty, hungry, stubborn and my heart beats really fast - that's when I have to eat something.  When I am having high blood sugar, I'm very thirsty, have a headache, cannot concentrate and sometimes throw up - that's when I need more insulin.

What is your best advice for children diagnosed with insulin-dependency?

Do not let diabetes get in the way of you living your life! Make it as positive as possible and become a role model to everyone living with diabetes. Get involved with JDRF and volunteer at their events while trying to raise funds for a cure. Down with diabetes.