Doggendorf adjusts to the routine of diabetes with older brother, stays positive

by kate block

 Imagine being four years old and finding out that you have Juvenile Diabetes. Think of all of the questions you’d have. What is diabetes? What is insulin? Sean Doggendorf experienced this, but that wasn’t the end of the diabetes struggle in the Doggendorf family.

 Fourteen years later, another member of the family found out that he too has Juvenile Diabetes. That person is Sean’s older brother, Ryan, a former student of FHN.

 “I thought I was getting it because I had some of the same symptoms,” Ryan said. “I was real comfortable because I was used to him [Sean] having it and helping him with it.”

 After Ryan was diagnosed, the bothers became even closer and could relate on a whole new level.

 “My brother has been there for me,” Sean said. “Since we have so much in common, we’re always there for each other and we can talk about our diabetes and other things.”

 Sean has always turned his diabetes, something that could be a negative, into a positive. He continued to play soccer when some would have given up. He puts his soul into the things he does and he doesn’t take life for granted.

 “I still played soccer and everything so I had to be careful to watch for my blood sugar getting too low,” Sean said.

 There are a lot of difficult symptoms that come with diabetes and unfortunately most are overlooked by people who don’t deal with the disorder.

 “The biggest thing is when you go out to eat with your friends because you have to go to the bathroom and give yourself a shot,” Sean said. “You have to carry your insulin and testing supplies everywhere. Some other hard parts are just like the routine, it does take some time to do everything. Oh and the shots suck too sometimes.”

 Even though Sean has a disorder there are still a lot of people who look up to him. His biggest fan is his sister.

 “He’s really smart and never does anything wrong.” Sarah Doggendorf said. “He learns from his mistakes. I know I can look up to him for anything.”