Member Spotlight: TYRIK

Date: 06/14/16

Smart, energetic and respectful are all ways to describe 10-year-old Tyrik. He's an avid fan of Barcelona's soccer player, Messi and the proud owner of a guinea pig. By looking at Tyrik, you would never imagine what he has been through.

Tyrik was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 2 and a half years old and his mother rushed him to the hospital as he fell into a coma. His mother was told that his blood sugar numbers were "off the chart," and doctors did not expect him to live.

Tyrik soon came out of the coma and all CT scans were normal. After this, and for four long months, his blood sugar stayed over 600, and he was passed around from doctor to doctor looking for answers. Seizures were happening 2-3 times a week, and the rise and fall of his blood sugar could not be controlled or explained.

A top pediatric endocrinologist in Chicago soon took over his care. He, too, had a hard time explaining Tyrik's diabetes, but was a lifesaver for the family. Tyrik's mother said they would often say "what's Tyrik's body going to decide to do today?"

The pediatric endocrinologist diagnosed Tyrik with Brittle Diabetes with Positive Insulin Autobodies. Tyrik also has a sleep disorder that occasionally causes him to goes days without sleep - one time even lasting six weeks. Tyrik's mother quit her job to stay home to care for him, because Tyrik oftentimes had to have his blood sugar checked 25-30 times per day.

The family moved to Wichita in 2012, and after going through several physicians there, they found Dr. Midyett in Kansas City. Tyrik's mother said she was very happy to find Dr. Midyett after having such a great physician in Chicago. Dr. Midyett cared; he listened.

Tyrik recently received a new CMG Continuous Glucose Meter, which made Tyrik's mother very happy and thankful. This was one less stressor for her family, because his blood sugar has to be monitored around the clock.

His mother is also very thankful for the transportation she receives from Sunflower's transportation service Logisticare so Tyrik can see Dr. Midyett. It is crucial because she says her car would probably not make it to Kansas City, and with the cost of gas, she is unable to afford going three times a year. Without this transportation benefit offered, she does not know what they would do.

Tyrik's mother says she wants other parents to know that they have to be their child's #1 advocate, because parents know their child best. Tyrik's mother said this, along with trusting in God, has helped them get this far...and the future is very bright for Tyrik.