Nicholas Jerry Jonas

Nick Jonas (http://photos.nickjonline.com/albums/ 2009PHOTOSHOOTS/BENWATTS/NEW/023.jpg)

Nicholas Jerry Jonas, youngest of the popular group called The Jonas Brothers, is my inspiration and my hero. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in November of 2005, but him living with diabetes is not why I look at him as an incredible human being. He is my hero for what he is doing because of his diabetes and how he is sending out a positive message to everyone who listens.

Nick’s message to his fans is to never let anything slow them down, displaying how much of a positive role model he is. Every night he performs, he tells his story during his song “A Little Bit Longer” which is an inspirational song written by him about dealing with diabetes. “Sometimes in life, sometimes you get thrown an unexpected curveball. That’s what happened to me, about 4 years ago when I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It flipped my whole world upside down. But on my way to the hospital that night, I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn’t let it slow me down… So when that moment comes and you need to press on in the mist of hard times I want you to promise me one thing. Don’t ever let it slow you down. Because I believe in you and I want to thank you for believing in me. I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and say that me singing this song and telling my story has inspired them, to those who have said that I say thank you because you are my inspiration,” said Nick Jonas on July 13, 2009 during his performance of “A Little Bit Longer” / “Black Keys”. This is why Nick Jonas is my hero.

Before Nick was diagnosed he noticed he was experiencing a bad attitude, something really unusual for him considering he is a very nice person. He was also drinking an excessive amount of water and using the restroom frequently. Nick lost 15 pounds in about 2 or 3 weeks. The Jonas family didn’t understand the reasoning behind Nick’s unusual symptoms, and none of them expected to find out he was diabetic considering he had no bad medical history. Knowing he had to figure out what was wrong Nick took off time from The Jonas Brother’s tour promoting their debut album It’s About Time to go to a doctor, and he was immediately sent to a hospital. His blood sugar level was over 700 when the normal level is anywhere from 80-120.

Nick had to learn a massive amount of information about his disease in a short period of time. He was debating on whether he would still be able to create music and continue to live his dream, or if his disease would cause too much disruption. Nick made a promise to himself when he was coming home from the hospital. That promise was that he would never let his diabetes slow him down or keep him from doing what he loves to do. He promised to keep moving forward with a positive attitude, which is exactly what he did and is still doing today. The day Nick came out of the hospital he played a show that night refusing to let down his fans or himself. That alone is one reason why he is my hero.

Nick Jonas with Diabetes Contour Meter (http://jbmoveonfansite.blogspot.com/2009/ 10/nicks-simple-wins-in-uk.html)

Even though Nick learned about his disease and understood it, everything was still very overwhelming and hard to keep under control while playing shows every night. Nick originally used a system called Novolog to control his diabetes, checking his blood sugar twelve times a day. This was very frustrating for him. According to an article written by Linda von Wartburg, Nick said it was difficult to keep a positive energy while on tour. He knew he needed to find a better way to manage his diabetes, and he wasn’t going to break his promise he made to himself. Shortly after Nick decided he needed to switch systems, he began using the OmniPod, an insulin pump, with Novolog insulin. With this pump, Nick is able to type in the amount of carbohydrates his meals have and the device will give him a suggested amount of insulin to use. While using the OmniPod Nick has had fewer episodes of low blood sugar and has been able to manage his diabetes better. But that’s not why he’s my hero.

After Nick became stable and comfortable with managing his diabetes the Jonas family discussed the option of Nick going public about his disease. Unlike most celebrities, they weren’t going to do this for the publicity or money he could get from going public. If Nick shared his story with the world it would purely be to give courage to those who are struggling with diabetes, speak out to all of his fans, and to aid in finding a cure. Nick had also heard stories of how kids who had diabetes went into a depression or slump because of their disease. This touched his heart and Nick wanted to be able to do something for those people. Because of these aspects, Nick went public with his diabetes at Carnival for a Cure about a year and a half year after he was diagnosed (March of 2007).

As an act to help give inspiration, hope, and courage to kids with diabetes, in 2007 Nick would carry guitar pics in his pocket, and every time he met another person who had diabetes, his ‘diabetic buddy’, he would give them a pic and form a connection with those fans. He loves that he can be a positive light to people. Not only does he care about his diabetic fans, but Nick sends out a message to every single one of his fans every night he performs. This is one of the reasons Nick Jonas is my hero, because he cares.

Nick Jonas speaks to Congress on July 24 (http://jbmoveonfansite.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html)

Not only does Nick care about giving out a positive message, but he also cares deeply about trying to find a cure, and he is actually doing something about it. In Washington DC on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 he spoke in Congress to the Committee about finding a cure for type 1 diabetes. He testified for a group called Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, JDRF, who is dedicated in finding a cure. Nick requested federal funding that would be used for diabetes research. He also brought up the urgent necessity for finding a cure. "I ask that each of you join me in supporting the renewal of the Special Diabetes Program next year so that the researchers can continue their work on a cure for our disease. My life depends on it. All our lives depend on it," said Nick Jonas in his speech June 24.

Nick has not only dedicated himself to trying to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, he and his brothers Joe and Kevin Jonas have also donated to over 15 charities and foundation. The Jonas Brothers donated over 1 million dollars to the Change for the Children Foundation, a charity they created. The Jonas Brothers have also supported/donated to Alzheimer’s Association, Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, Bid 2 Beat Aids, Children’s Miracle Network, City of Hope, DoSomething.org, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Family Health International, Gibson Girl Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, LIFEbeat, Make-A-Wish Foundation, MusiCares, Music for Relief, Project Zambi, Revlon Run/Walk for Women, Shriners Hospitals for Children, St. Judes Children’s Hospital, and the Salvation Army. This is why Nick Jonas is my hero.

Nick Jonas is my hero because of his selflessness and his message to all kids that nothing can stop them from doing what they love. Nick Jonas has inspired me to aspire to become a better person in the way I act, but also in the way of giving as much as I can to other people and charities. Some people don’t understand why I believe Nick Jonas is amazing, but that’s because they don’t know what he has done and what he is doing for this world.