Eating and exercising are everyday activities for most, but for one 20-year-old they must be closely monitored. That’s because Holland College student and athlete Steve Hardy has type 1 diabetes, a disease he developed at the age of 12.

Today, Hardy is able to manage his diabetes with ease, but he said it wasn’t easy as a kid.

“It was hard going from a regular kid to having to watch what you’re eating and being all conscious,” he recalls.

Type 1 diabetes, or Juvenile diabetes, is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin. With type 1 diabetes, glucose (sugar) builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy. It usually develops in childhood or adolescence, and accounts for 10 per cent of all diabetes in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Everything in Hardy’s daily routine is affected by his diabetes. He has to take four needles of insulin a day to help keep his blood sugar even, but also has to know how much sugar he consumes and how much exercise is needed to keep it even.

“It’s a juggling act for sure,” he said.

But since Hardy has had diabetes for so long he has a better handle on how to deal with it.

“It’s all about balance. I’ve had it for eight, almost nine years now so I know how to handle it pretty good. It’s all about routine and knowing yourself.”

Being part of the Holland College men’s basketball team gives Hardy much more than the exercise he needs. The workout is more intense and affects his body more than it may for his teammates. But he doesn’t let that stop him.

Before each game and practice Hardy takes less insulin and drinks PowerAde, or an equally sugary drink, to keep the level of sugar in his blood even. He also checks his blood five to six times daily by pricking his finger with a monitor and reading the blood level. This tells him what his blood sugar level is so that he knows how much insulin or sugar he needs.

It’s important for the people around Hardy to know that he has diabetes in case he goes into a "low” or “diabetic shock”, which happens when there is not enough sugar in his blood. When this happens, he has low energy and can’t play his best. He has gone into diabetic shock a couple of times and said it’s not the best feeling.

“It’s just really uncomfortable. It’s like your drunk almost, you’re just walking around and it’s like you’re talking gibberish,” he said.

Thankfully, George Morrison, coach of the men’s basketball team, has coached Hardy for years and understands he’s not just fooling around. He just has to look at him and know that he needs some sugar to get his energy up.

Hardy doesn’t allow diabetes to effect his life at school. As a first-year business student, he said the relationships he has formed at Holland College have helped him in the past and knows they will help him in the future. He has the support he needs, he said.

“Here at Holland College it is more like a big family. Albert (manager of student services and athletics) and everyone cares so much. George puts in countless hours always checking in to make sure I have all my work done. Everything is here for you to succeed as long as you put the work in.”

In the future Hardy plans to finish his business diploma at Holland College and possibly head back to Australia, where he spent a month working in the past. But no matter where life takes him, he is glad he made the choice to come to Holland College, he said.

“Coming here was a good way to get back into school after taking some time off. Everyone’s here to help you so that’s one thing that’s bomb about Holland College.”

Written by Samara Meade, Journalism Student, Hurricane Basketball Player