PATIENT STORIES
Jason
Jason has lived with type 1 diabetes for many years and has been fortunate to participate in Edmonton's pioneering islet transplantation program. Over the past 21 years, he has received four islet transplants, spending more than half of that time insulin independent. Jason lives a quiet life in Edmonton, where he enjoys spending time with his close circle of friends and extended family. He is passionate about sharing his lived experience to increase awareness of islet transplantation and the meaningful impact it can have on the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes.
Below is his journey.
1. Living with T1D
"I would say that I wasn't really living. I would say I was existing … I was barely living a life."
Running Time 3:42
"I would not wish type 1 diabetes on my worst enemy at all. It's just too much”
Running Time 1:05
"Surviving versus thriving, that's an interesting point."
Running Time 32s
2. Considering ITx
"It really became obvious that the risks associated … with transplant were … much less than the life I was living at the time."
Running Time 1:57
"A chance at something resembling what I thought a normal life might be."
Running Time 2:43
“I jumped off the cliff a little bit … but my eyes were open and I knew what I was doing."
Running Time 2:05
"I'm not special. I'm just a man who suffered with his type 1 diabetes, and this program has given me my life back."
Running Time 1:05
3. The ITx Procedure
“[it's] really fascinating... you're awake for the whole time ... you're ... watching what the doctors are watching on the screen”
Running Time 58s
4. Recovery & Results
“I have a lot of mental freedom. I have a lot of physical freedom. I just have freedom in general of living the life I want to live.”
Running Time 5:00
5. Sum it Up in One Word
“Miraculous”
Running Time 10s