Diabetes Doesn’t Slow Down This Cyclist
Klaus VanBentham learned at a very young age that if he was going to live a healthy life, he better get educated, fast. Diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 10, his German physicians bluntly told him that his health and his future – good or bad – lay entirely in his own young hands.
Klaus developed a healthy respect for education then, and it has carried him throughout his life. Today, he's an associate professor in the chemical engineering and material science department at UC Davis. As part of his job, he frequently travels to m any different locations, both nationally and internationally. However, his diabetes remains well under control, mostly because he learned all he could about the disease, and because he makes a point of surrounding himself with a diabetes support team that is also extremely knowledgeable.
And he gives back, by signing up every year to participate in the Ride to Defeat Diabetes (R2D2), a fundraising event that benefits the NorthBay Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology, and its mission to educate others of the diabetes crisis in Solano County. This year, the ride will be held on Oct. 5, and offers an easy 10-mile family-friendly loop, or longer 25- and 60-mile rides for more serious cyclists.
Klaus recalls how difficult it was, as a 10-year-old, to be told to avoid sugary sodas and candy, and to be singled out from his peers because he had to eat differently. Or, worse yet, having to face his serious fear of needles in order to self-inject insulin several times a day. It was tough, he recalls, but his physicians were tougher.
"When I was first diagnosed, I spent two and a half weeks in the hospital, being taught everything about the disease and the proper diet, and how to administer injections. They wouldn't release me until I had learned everything," Klaus recalls."That's how they do it in Germany."
Now, at age 40, this Davis resident is the picture of good health. He wears an insulin pump, but it doesn't keep him from doing the things he loves, including participating in long-distance bike rides. Eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and learning all you can about diabetes is proof that living with Type I diabetes is a challenge anyone can overcome, he says.
"I had such an excellent education on diabetes management at that early age. But I also remember some words of advice. They said that I would need to know more about diabetes than my own primary care physician, because after all it's my life and I am the one person in control."
Klaus also appreciated the continuing support he received from his parents in those early days, and from his wife, Pia, today. "They were extremely involved in my health care and emptied out all the cabinets and replaced them with diabetic foods. Between their help, and the hospital's education, I was well prepared."
Having a good medical team is also very important to him. So, when Klaus came to UC Davis in 2008, he asked his primary care physician to refer him to a good endocrinologist. His advice: See Deborah Murray, M.D., endocrinologist and medical director of the NorthBay Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology.
"In my field I do a lot of research, and so I really appreciate how Dr. Murray and her team are always in the know about the latest information in diabetes management. They go to conferences, and keep up on all the latest literature. And I really enjoy my interaction with the staff."
Klaus is looking forward to participating in R2D2's 60-mile ride. Since he rides 30 or miles several times a week throughout Davis, he isn't concerned about taking on a few miles more on the day of the ride. He prepares by packing several energy bars and adjusting his insulin pump. "I check by blood sugar at the start of the ride and adjust my insulin pump accordingly. If I feel my blood sugar dropping, I eat an energy bar. Having the insulin pump has made my life so much easier."
For those recently diagnosed with diabetes, Klaus offers some advice. "Don't worry about it; it will all be fine. Educate yourself on how to manage the disease so you can be in control. And, let people know you have the disease. Don't hide it, or feel you can't tell people. After all, some days, if your blood sugar is unusually high or low, you're not going to perform as well, and you may need help. People you work with or go to school with need to be aware of your extra burden."
Interested in joining Klaus and others at the 3rdAnnual Ride to Defeat Diabetes? All three rides start from NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, 1000 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville. The 10-mile ride is free for children ages 12 and under; others register for $10. The 25-mile ride is $25 and the $60-mile ride is $35. T-shirts, a raffle ticket, lunch and refreshments will be provided for registered riders. Register online at www.northbay.org/r2d2.
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