Positively Type 1: How living with a chronic illness can be your most powerful motivator for an extraordinary life

by Nick Kundrat

Living with diabetes since age 4 has been far from easy. Yet, I don't look back at my life and see my diagnosis as a setback, quite the opposite actually. It has been my single most powerful motivator to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Diabetes has shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn't be more thankful for it.What you may hear about kids and adults living with type 1 is that while they have a disease, they can still do everything a "normal" person can. This statement has always left a bad taste in my mouth. Diabetes is MUCH more than a burden. It's more than just a barrier to push through to make it to the realm of "normal." Your diagnosis DOES NOT have to be something that holds you back in life. It can be what sets you apart and makes you EXTRAORDINARY. My diabetes has pushed me to far surpass normal and jump headfirst into an exceptional life with exceptional successes (and failures) along the way. With this book, instead of dwelling on the negatives of life with type 1, I chose to highlight the many amazing perks, explain the skills one builds while living with type 1, and share the stories of some amazing young individuals who embody them. Seeing diabetes through a positive lens has allowed me to truly thrive, and through sharing others' stories and mine, I aim to help you do the same.

134 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2020

About the author

I'll admit it, When it comes to anything related to health and the human body, I’m an absolute nerd. The way our bodies are woven together so perfectly to breathe, to move, to run, to walk... to EXIST is nothing short of incredible.

Layer that curiosity with my 17 years of experience living with type 1 diabetes, and you get a path toward health and wellness. Having to be so in touch with my body, how I’m feeling, what I’m eating and how I’m moving, has led me to an immense appreciation for my own health and my love for helping others improve theirs.

Through meticulous nutrition and exercise strategies, along with traditional insulin treatment, I have been able to thrive with my condition while playing numerous sports, weightlifting, rock climbing, mountain biking, traveling the world, graduating college, and tackling my (too) many hobbies.

I also love to spend my time learning new things, meeting new people, and experiencing what this amazing world has to offer. One of my favorite activities is spending time with others who also live with type 1. Whether that be through mentoring kids with type 1 at my local hospital, being a camp counselor at various diabetes camps, or volunteering at diabetes events. It brings me true joy taking what I’ve spent my life learning, and sharing it with the next generation of amazing type 1’s.

Through all this, I’ve come to learn that the diabetes community is one of the most amazing on the planet, and I fully intend to commit my future to improve the lives of others who share my condition.

Reviews

[Erin Drebushenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I feel bad giving any book this low of a rating but this honestly felt like more of a school essay to me. I liked how the author split up each section, included actual definitions of the words, and provided profiles of various diabetics—particularly the pen pal from Uganda!—but I think this might be a better read for those earlier in their T1D days or those going through intense burnout. There were a few points I resonated with and related to many of the stories told in the profiles, but overall, this book was more basic than I was looking for.

[Diana Zafra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful and encouraging for those wanting to learn about T1D

I read the book to learn more about T1D since my fiance has had diabetes since he was a teen. It's helped me better understand the challenges, but also the positives firsthand from teens living with T1D. Thank you so much. I really appreciated reading and learning so much.

[Summerfield-Petersburg Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I anticipated a different type of book, but found that this book would be very good for the children and teenagers that have Type 1 to find encouragement and motivation. The majority are individuals sharing their insight of how they deal with the daily living with Type 1.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. This book is written to a non-type 1 audience but is meant to motivate people with type 1 so it’s got as bit of a disconnect.

[Mason Kirksey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is informative and can have good application for Type 1 Diabetics. It is relevant to teenagers and pre-teens, which is why I give it 4 stars rather than 5.