In this episode of T1D Stories, Adrian Gonzalez speaks with Bryan Quigley, a high school science teacher from southern Maine who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11. Bryan reflects on the early symptoms that led to his diagnosis, the support he received from his family, doctors, friends, and the T1D community, and the message that shaped his outlook from the beginning: You can do anything with diabetes. He also shares lessons learned from severe lows, travel mishaps, changing health needs, and the importance of preparation, flexibility, education, and community. Looking ahead, Bryan explains why a world without T1D would mean greater freedom, spontaneity, and peace of mind.
A Meaningful Moment from Episode
Bryan credits his parents and endocrinologist with teaching him from the very beginning that diabetes didn’t have to define what he could achieve. Whether it was playing sports, traveling, or raising a family, they encouraged him to keep doing the things he loved—while learning how to prepare for them.
“They just made sure that I knew that I could do anything. I just had to be prepared for it.”
