Cyclist with diabetes teaches children about managing the condition

Where most cyclists carry radios and energy gel in every pocket of their jersey, Matt Brooks devotes one of the pockets on his purple and green jersey to diabetes management devices.

Brooks, a cyclist with Team Type 1, made a stop at HealthPoint Jackson Thursday to talk to 22 children at Camp DAY Break, a two-day camp where children with diabetes and their friends learn more about managing the disease and living a full life.

Team Type 1 started in 2004 with two guys who had diabetes but wanted to have fun. Now the 50-plus-member team has mostly diabetic riders. The pro team -- four of whom have type 1 diabetes -- received and accepted an invitation to ride in the Tour of Missouri, which starts Sept. 7 and arrives in Cape Girardeau on Sept. 8 for the end of the second stage and the start of the over-the-road racing.

Brooks, 22, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1995. He races on the developmental team with Team Type 1 and wants to eventually ride on the pro team and possibly in the Tour of Missouri.

"That would definitely be a future goal for me," Brooks said as he waited to talk to the group.

Professional cyclist Matt Brooks, who races with other diabetics on Team Type 1, leads a short cycling session Thursday with Camp DAY Break participants in Jackson. Brooks spoke to the children about not letting diabetes limit them. (Kit Doyle)

Brooks recently competed in the Race Across America as part of the developmental team. The race takes riders 3,000 miles from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md. Team Type 1 was the only team in which each member had diabetes. In 2008, the team won second behind a Norwegian team that set a world record. This year, Team Type 1 finished first and set a new world record of five days, nine hours, five minutes.

"This year was redemption," he said.

Brooks said riding with and being around other people with diabetes makes managing it easier.

"You kind of use each others' experiences, and if something works for them, it might work for you," he said.

Brooks played soccer through his youth but developed bad knees from the running. He stopped working out and being extremely active. At 19 his doctor told him he needed to start doing something to improve his sugar levels. Brooks started cycling and hasn't stopped.

"I didn't really notice how exercising helped me manage my diabetes," he said, adding that once he got moving again his blood sugar levels were more consistent and manageable.

"Exercise is good for everyone," said Janet Stewart, a nurse and diabetes educator with Southeast Missouri Hospital's Diabetes Center. "Especially anyone with diabetes for the simple fact that it helps reduce any other long-term health conditions like heart disease."

Stewart, who helped start Camp DAY Break, said fat cells create insulin resistance. Exercise reduces fat, builds lean muscle mass and lowers blood sugar.

"If you exercise, you can do anything," Brooks said. "I really just hope that they realize that you can do anything with diabetes that a normal person can do."

He showed the children his wireless insulin management system, which calculates and delivers insulin into his system, helping him manage his blood sugar levels.

The highest goal is to compete and ride on the top level, Brooks said. "To get to that level, you have to be in tune with your diabetes."

charris@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO