Cole Price

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION for People Living With Diabetes

Cole was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on April 1, 2011, and as his family says, it was no April Fool’s joke. His mom noticed early signs when his diaper was filling up far more than it should for what he was drinking. She tracked the changes and reached out to doctors. On April 1st, she received a call telling her to get Cole to BC Children’s Hospital as fast as possible. 

The week that followed was overwhelming for everyone. Cole’s parents spent days driving back and forth from Surrey to the hospital, learning how to manage T1D in a very short amount of time. While they focused on training and care, Cole’s grandparents stepped in to support the family at home and help care for his sister. There was a lot to physically recover from, mentally process, and learn before Cole could come home, where an entirely new normal was waiting. 

As Cole grew up, every stage of life brought different challenges. As a toddler, it was learning to recognize the signs of high and low blood sugar. For years, his parents woke him up in the middle of the night to check his levels, because he was always at risk of low blood sugar while sleeping and often needed a juice box or snack in the early morning hours. As he got older, the challenges shifted to carbohydrate counting, learning how his body responded to different foods, and understanding how sports, growth spurts, heat waves, and stress could impact his blood sugar. Each time he thought he had it figured out, something changed. 

One unique part of Cole’s story is that when he was first diagnosed at age two, a news crew happened to be at the hospital filming a segment about a new wing being built. Cole’s family was interviewed, and he was featured on the news that evening. Over time, the hospital reached out for additional marketing opportunities, and Cole has photos from those moments that still represent how early diabetes became part of his life story. 

Cole wants people to understand that type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar, and that research continues to move forward in meaningful ways. While there is no cure yet, advancements in diabetes technology continue to improve quality of life and make daily management more achievable. Using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor has helped Cole in many ways, including allowing him to participate in physical activities and events like Pump Couture. 

Cole also lives with celiac disease, diagnosed at age seven, which adds another layer of planning and vigilance, especially when traveling. Cole shares that managing celiac while traveling can be even more challenging than managing diabetes, and both require careful preparation. 

Cole’s family has always raised him with a mindset that has shaped the way he lives with diabetes. They cannot control what life brings, but they can control how they respond. Cole knows he cannot change the fact that he was diagnosed with T1D at such a young age, but he can use his experience to raise awareness, fund research, and help improve life for others living with diabetes. 

Cole’s message to others is clear and reassuring. You may feel alone right now, but you are not alone. There is a large and incredibly supportive diabetes community ready to help you and your family. 

Cole has attended D-Camps for five years, and he believes the program is incredibly important. D-Camps allow kids living with diabetes to see firsthand that they are not alone. It also gives them the chance to experience camp and sleepovers in a safe environment. With trained staff supporting diabetes management, campers can focus on being kids and making memories. 

This year, Cole is celebrating a major milestone. He is graduating in June and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Sciences at UBC, working toward a future career as an electrical engineer. His goals are big, and his story reflects the reality that diabetes may require extra planning and responsibility, but it does not limit what someone can achieve. 

Cole is modeling in the Pump Couture Fashion Show because he believes in being part of the solution. Raising funds and awareness is deeply important to him and his family, and he is proud to help break down stereotypes and show that living with diabetes has no boundaries. 

#PumpCoutureFashionShow #ChangeTheConversation #StopTheStigma