Mr. Positive: A Jonas brother talks about his battle with diabetes Page 1 of 2

interview Mr. Positive: A Jonas brother talks about his battle with diabetes

KidsHealth.org Updated: 06/11/08 8:52 AM

Nick Jonas seems to have everything a guy could want: thousands of adoring fans, a skyrocketing career and a cool family, including Joe and Kevin, his band-mates in the Jonas Brothers.

But Nick also has diabetes, a serious health condition that needs daily attention. Now 15, Nick first got sick while on tour in November 2005. He was losing weight, acting moody and feeling thirsty all the time. A blood test showed that he had diabetes and he spent several days in the hospital. Though he is healthy and feeling great now, back then he worried he might die.

“I had an emotional breakdown since I really had no idea what diabetes was all about. I wondered, ‘why me?’ Then I asked myself, ‘why not me?’ and realized that I might be able to help other kids with diabetes.”

In 2007, the Jonas Brothers performed at a Diabetes Research Institute fundraiser in New York City. During the show, Nick asked audience members to raise their hands if they had diabetes. Then he raised his hand, too, revealing for the first time publicly that he has type 1 diabetes.

The crowd went wild. He even pulled up his T-shirt sleeve to show the audience the device he wears on his arm to deliver insulin to his body. (People who have diabetes have a problem with a hormone called insulin. Their bodies either don’t make enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work as it should. Without insulin, your body can’t get the fuel it needs.)

At the concert, Nick encouraged other kids with diabetes to be positive, adding that he earned the nickname “Mr. Positive” because of his attitude about his condition.

Madison Dodge, 12, has had diabetes since she was 5. She’s also an advocate for the American Diabetes Association. Here’s Madi’s interview with Nick:

MADI: Do you notice a differencein your ability to performwhen your blood sugar is veryhigh or dropping low?

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NICK:In the beginning, yes. I had wild mood swings and couldn’t drink enough water. But now I’m able to check my blood sugar before we go onstage, so I can manage it by using my Omni Pod (the device he wears that delivers insulin).

MADI: How has your familyhandled your diagnosis?

NICK:At first it was really hard on all of us because we didn’t know how it would affect our daily lives. I actually asked my doctor if I could die.

Fortunately, we were blessed to have great medical care and learned how to manage diabetes.

MADI: Do you have diabetesin your family?

NICK:No one else in our family has ever been diagnosed with diabetes.

MADI: Do any of your otherfamily members fear they willbe diagnosed too?

NICK:I hope that no one ever will. MADI: What has been your

scariest moment with diabetes?NICK:The scariest was the

weight loss. I lost 15 pounds very quickly. My mom said I looked like a prisoner of war!

MADI: Have you ever consideredwriting a song about diabetes?

NICK:There is a song on our new album called “A Little Bit Longer” that is all about my diabetes. But the lyrics could be interpreted as any difficult situation in life.

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The Jonas Brothers will performJuly 4 in Toronto and Aug. 15 atDarien Lake.

For more health information writtenfor kids, visit KidsHealth .org/kid.KidsHealth. for parents, kids, and teensis from the health experts of Nemours, anonprofit devoted to children’s health.

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