Athlete refuses to let diabetes define him
Sonnenberg’s positive attitude helps him take care of himself and play lots of sports
There were only two viable options for Kiefer Sonnenberg when he learned he had type 1 diabetes.
Either he could be the type of person who let the diagnosis dictate his life. Or he could take control and continue living the only way he knew how.
Even at age 10 there was no question which path he would choose.
“I didn’t want people to see me as someone with diabetes first. I wanted them to see me as myself and diabetes as kind of an afterthought,” he said. “I think I’ve learned who I am personally better than I would have if I never had diabetes.”
Sonnenberg, now 17, has made sure diabetes is at the bottom of the list of things that have come to define him.
He’s an athlete who plays basketball and volleyball and is on the track team at Laura Secord Secondary School in St. Catharines. He’s a goalie on a local hockey team. He loves school, with a particular interest in politics and medicine.
He also happens to have diabetes.
“I take pride in who I am, and I don’t let it get in my way.”
The diagnosis itself was similar to that of most cases. On a trip to South Carolina, Sonnenberg started going to the washroom often. He was tired and lacked an appetite.
When they got home, Tom and Cindi Sonnenberg took their son to the doctor. After a quick blood sugar check, he was sent straight to the hospital.
Unsure what was happening, Sonnenberg was scared. But as he learned about type 1 diabetes, a disease that prevents the pancreas from producing insulin, a hormone that helps the body control the level of glucose in the blood, he understood it could happen to anyone, young or old, athletically gifted or not.
And, once doctors told him he could continue to live his life normally, he assumed he could “do anything I was doing before.”
“Kiefer is the type of person when he first got diagnosed he took the bull by the horns,” his father said. “It’s been like that from Day 1. And I think that’s why he’s doing so well, because he takes it, and he’s positive about it.”
Refusing to give himself four injections a day, Sonnenberg went on the insulin pump three months after getting diagnosed, “really unheard of,” said his father.
Part of Sonnenberg’s determination came from a two-week stay in hospital, where he saw first-hand a young boy struggling to take care of his disease.
“He saw if you don’t take care of yourself, and if you don’t have your proper support system, your health is going to decline. So Kiefer’s been doing things for himself, and taking care of himself, ever since,” his mother said.
To do so, he needed to make changes.
Sonnenberg keeps track of what he eats and regularly checks his blood sugar.
When it came to sports, what was once easy, such as heading to the gym without a second thought, was more difficult following the diagnosis. He puts in hours of preparation to make sure his blood sugar is at the right level before practice or a game.
“I can maintain everything myself. If there’s an issue I’m going to take care of it,” he said.
Immediately after the diagnosis, Sonnenberg wanted to test his limits. Instead of playing three sports, he played five.
He now concedes doing homework until 2 a.m. and waking up at 6 a.m. for practice was not the best idea; he wanted to prove he was in control of the disease.
“I think in the long run it was worth it, because I proved to myself that … I can do whatever I want, as long as I set my mind to it,” he said looking back on the diagnosis.
It can be hard for athletes to prioritize themselves over the team. But situations do arise — it’s inevitable despite the preparation — and Sonnenberg knows he has to look after himself.
“If I take those 10 minutes or five minutes to deal with it my
self, then in the long run I’ll be able to play more like I normally play. Therefore, the team won’t be affected,” he said.
Cindi has watched her son take on the disease from a unique perspective. Eleven months after his diagnosis, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Together they were able to lean on each other.
“It just becomes like a normal routine. Like (Kiefer) said about getting prepped and stuff. You know the proper prep, which he did mostly on his own. It’s been very inspiring. He’s a great kid,” said his mom, holding back tears.
Sonnenberg understands it’s on him to make sure he takes care of his health.
“This is obviously a huge thing that you have to be personally responsible for, even if you have a great support system,” he said. “At the end of the day, when you’re out of the house, and you’re alone, are you going to fail yourself ? Or, you know, succeed?”
He wants people, especially young children, not to let anything hold them back, no matter the challenge.
“Don’t let anyone tell you how to live your life, and how you should be and that you have to fit in this little square,” said Sonnenberg. “Be proud of who you are, and be proud of this thing you have to deal with.”
Sonnenberg is starting a new journey in the fall, attending McMaster University on a scholarship from the Diabetes Hopes Foundation. He will study nursing with a career focused on helping people with diabetes.
Although he would like to focus on basketball, he isn’t expecting to play in the first year, as he gets comfortable at school.
But for now, he is looking forward to spending his summer at home.
“Try to spend time with people I might not see a lot next year,” he said.