Valuable tips, tricks, and advice from a veteran young adult with Type 1 diabetes. Essential reading for parents and children!Type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be a daunting diagnosis, especially for a young kid or a teen. Patrick McAllister knows. Diagnosed with T1D at age twelve, McAllister’s life changed forever, and he faced an uncertain future of insulin shots, diet regulations, and
high school.
If only I had a roadmap, he thought. So, years after he learned things the hard way, he decided to write one.
Whether it is managing mood swings, hormones, or blood sugar levels,
Highs & Lows of Type 1 Diabetes is the ultimate teenager’s and young adult’s handbook for surviving, thriving, and flourishing with T1D during one of the most terrifying, yet exciting, phases of your life. Many think of T1D as a scary disease that is sporadic and uncontrollable, but after eight years of dealing with the literal and figurative highs and lows of T1D, McAllister has learned that it is more a lifestyle change.
These pages detail a framework for every situation you could possibly imagine involving T1D, from coming home from the hospital after your diagnosis to preparing to leave your nest for freshman year at college. Learn how to:
- Count carbohydrates, pump insulin like a pro, and correct irregular blood sugar levels
- Tell your friends, get good grades, and survive school
- Play sports with the right game-plan
- Navigate sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll
- And more!
Type 1 diabetes stinks, but you don’t have to go through it blind and alone! Some have learned it the hard way, but
Highs & Lows of Type 1 Diabetes will ensure that you will take control of your T1D diagnosis, conquer your adolescent years, and live a healthy and fulfilling life.
A young adult with Type 1 diabetes offers valuable tips, tricks, and advice in the ultimate teenager and young adult's handbook for surviving, thriving, and flourishing with T1D.
"
Highs & Lows of Type 1 Diabetes addresses all the major challenges I see my patients with T1D face on a daily basis. The advice given is thought-out and practical, and it comes from a place of intimate experience. Patrick, a patient of mine since he was twelve years old, has done an unbelievable job creating an understandable and relatable resource for teens and young adults with T1D."
—Dr. William Tamborlane, MD, pediatric endocrinologist at Yale Medicine "Patrick has created a wonderful resource for a broad audience. He covers a range of diabetes-related topics with a balance of practical knowledge and humor, and makes his own experiences accessible to young teens and emerging adults alike. . . . He sends the important message that it is okay to accept and embrace the support of others, and equally important to educate others about how they can best offer this support. I found reading Patrick's book to be like having a conversation with him. It is as upbeat, reassuring, and hopeful . . . . Hats off to Patrick for creating a book that empowers teens and young adults to be strategically open about their diabetes, and active in living with it knowing that they do not have to be
alone while learning to be
on their own.
—Jodie Ambrosino, PhD, Yale Medicine "Patrick puts great information into a format that is useful and understandable for high school and college age students. He shares interesting personal stories as well as important tips in many different situations. I highly recommend this book for all young adults living with Type 1 Diabetes. Well done, Patrick!"
—Mary Masson, MSN, APRN, St. Michael's College 
