Nathan Carter seems like any other 15-year old boy.
A sophomore at OCHS, he works at Meadow View Shopwise, likes riding his four-wheeler and playing with his Labs, Luke and Oliver.
You would never guess he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes two years ago.
“It just hit him,” his mother, Tracy, said.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 176,500 people under the age of 20 had diabetes in 2005.
Nathan had all the telltale symptoms: constant thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision.
“He just didn’t have any energy,” said Steve, Nathan’s father.
The family, who live in Monterey, knew something wasn’t quite right, but when Nathan woke one morning and didn’t have the energy to go to school, Tracy called the doctor.
And that’s when the whirlwind hit.
Blood sugar levels of 200 mg/dL or higher constitute a diagnosis of diabetes. When Nathan visited the doctor that day his blood sugar was “in the 500s,” Steve said. At previous doctor visits, Nathan’s high blood sugar was contributed to his age.
He was immediately scheduled for an appointment at Kentucky Children’s Hospital where Dr. Jackson Smith began educating the family on juvenile diabetes. Nathan started taking insulin injections in October 2004 and by June 2005 he was insulin-free.
Through changes in his diet — he switched to all diet drinks — Nathan was able to lose 30 pounds.
“That was probably the hardest part,” Nathan admitted. “Before I would drink about six or seven Mountain Dews a day.”
“He did exactly what he was supposed to do,” Tracy said. “Dr. Smith called him a model patient. He really is a testament that there is hope if you just do what you’re told.”
It is that message that Nathan and his parents were able to share on June 17.
At the 2006 Kentucky Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Telethon, Nathan was honored as a champion in his fight against diabetes.
Before the live broadcast from Applebee’s Park, a camera crew visited the Carter residence to interview the family.
“It was pretty fun, different,” Nathan said.
Nathan’s diabetes is under control now, but with wisdom beyond his years he understands that it could become a problem again.
“I just can’t let it get me down. You don’t let it control you. You control it,” he said.
The CMN Telethon raised more than $1 million that was given to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. In 19 years, including 2006, Kentuckians have given more than $12.5 million to the hospital through the telethon.

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