Lo-Ellen Park junior basketball forward Keegan Moore is charging up the court with possession of the ball and has no plans on stopping for anything. An opponent steps in his way and
Moore runs him over without hesitation and with the ferocity of a stampeding bull.
This is Moore in a nutshell. Driven, uncompromising and willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win. These deep-rooted characteristics have served Moore well on and off the court and helped him take control of his life.
Moore has Type 1 diabetes. He has been living with the condition for five years, but he hasn’t allowed the disease to define who he is and what he does. Diabetes doesn’t control him, rather Moore controls his diabetes.
Moore approaches life much like he plays a basketball game: with authority.
“Diabetes hasn’t stopped me from doing what I want to do,” the 15-year-old, Grade 10 student said.
Earlier this week, Lo-Ellen Park teamed up with the Canadian Diabetes Association for the Dunkin 4 Diabetes event at the school to raise awareness and funds for the organization.
The Lo-Ellen Park boys’ basketball program has two student athletes involved who have diabetes — Moore and midget team player Dalton Milford. Having two players with diabetes has been a learning experience for the teams, and they felt compelled to make a statement by stepping up and taking the initiative to raise money to help people in Greater Sudbury in their fight against the disease.
“It was important for our school to give back to the community,” junior team coach Ken King said. “It means a lot to everyone to help.”
Moore went to the doctor when he was 10 and found out he had Type I diabetes. It came out of nowhere and left his family looking for answers. Moore has learned to live with the condition and maintain an active lifestyle. He not only plays basketball, but also football, track and field and volleyball.
From the moment he found out he had diabetes, Moore began his fight to ensure his life wasn’t going to be dictated by the condition.
“The day I found out, I didn’t like it and I was angry all day,” he said. “No one in my family ever had diabetes. I just got it and no one was sure how.
“The next day I was learning about diabetes. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be and it hasn’t been. I’m good at dealing with it. I have a lot of support from my family and teammates and coaches.”
To play sports, Moore must keep a constant eye on his blood-sugar levels, even during games and practices. He has to test his blood, take insulin shots and count every single carbohydrate he eats every day. Moore has no choice. This is what he must do to play the sports he loves.
“If I let my blood level go out of whack, I could be injured or go blind,” he said. “It can be hard with all the testing.”
But he said when he’s playing sports, his mind is on the game.
“I test my blood before, during and after games,” he said. “If my level is too high, I can’t play well. If it’s too low, I can’t play at all. When it’s high, I take insulin. When it’s low, I drink juice or Gatorade. I do what I have to do to play basketball or any other sport I love.”
Moore’s battle to overcome diabetes and lead an active lifestyle has endeared him to his teammates and coaches. Coach King said he sees a definite role model in Moore and not just because he has overcome diabetes to excel on the court.
“Keegan is a remarkable personality,” King said. “He’s a great leader and he respects his teachers, parents, coaches, players and fellow students. Keegan doesn’t allow diabetes to hinder him at all in anything he does. He’s a great example of what someone can do, regardless of their situation. He’s fighting through adversity every day and excelling in the situation he is in.”
Milford, 14, also has Type 1 diabetes. Much like Moore, Milford has the will to do more with his life than be hampered by diabetes. Milford has to test his blood before, during and after games and practices to stay on top of his condition, but he won’t allow anything to get in the way of playing sports.
“I was born with diabetes and it triggered in me when I was about 10,” the Grade 9 student said. “It doesn’t stop me from enjoying sports. There are occasional highs and lows, but you keep trying and you don’t give up.
“Overcoming diabetes to play sports is something I am proud of,” he added. “Every day I am taking another step and trying something new. Diabetes doesn’t stop me from doing anything I want.”
Milford has carved out his niche on the basketball team, thanks to his work ethic, desire and modesty about his condition.
“Dalton is one of our hardest workers and one of our most intense players … sometimes too intense,” midget team assistant coach Ryan Rysdale said. “His diabetes doesn’t bother him. When he needs to take a break to raise or lower his blood level, he does it quietly and doesn’t make a big deal out of it. He goes about his business so he’s always ready to work or play.”
For more on diabetes in Canada, go to www.diabetes.ca.
Posted by Jenny Jelen
