Sam Parker is a 15-year-old from Monroe, NC, who lives with Type 1 Diabetes. Sam loves bike riding, football, and hockey, and also has an interest in learning how things fly and wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up! When Sam isn’t playing sports himself you usually can find him watching the Chicago Bears, and specifically their quarterback, Jay Cutler. Sam has been inspired by Jay Cutler as he also lives with Type 1 diabetes, and admires his strength and resilience throughout his professional football career.
Last year, Sam was hit with something very unexpected and life-changing. Sam was admitted to Levine Children’s Hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition. Shortly after he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Sam’s diagnosis has completely changed his life as he is learning to cope daily with his chronic condition. Sam now checks his blood sugar about 5 times a day and will have to take at least 5 insulin shots every day for the rest of his life. Sam has shown great determination and tenacity in the process, and dreams of one day meeting his sports hero, Jay Cutler!
