Crystal Bowersox recently gave an in-depth interview to Diabetes Mine about her struggles over the years with Type 1 diabetes.
- You can read the entire interview HERE.
Some of the highlights include:
- Crystal woke up one day when she was on Idol with her blood sugar in the 400’s. She told the staff she wasn’t feeling well and was rushed to the hospital. Her ph levels were so low, the staff told her she should have been in a coma. She was kept overnight, and the next day, Ken Warwick came to her hospital room and said, “I’m sorry darling. You’re off the show.” She begged and pleaded to stay on. She met with the show producers, who allowed her to stay as long as she had a nurse with her 24/7. They switched the show dates to accommodate her.
- She started playing gigs when she was 10 years old. Her dad was her roadie. She was in and out of the hospital a lot when she was in high school. Finally, it was suggested that she get an insulin pump, but she couldn’t afford it. She did benefits at bars to raise the couple of grand she needed to make up what insurance wouldn’t pay.
- She struggled to pay for insulin supplies when she lived in Chicago, but luckily she hooked up with some friends she met as a kid at Diabetes camp who helped her out. By the time she tried out for Idol, she was on Medicare.
Crystal also talk about her high-risk pregnancy, her advocacy efforts, and the importance of facing diabetes head on. She plans to work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the future, and hopes to work with fellow Idol and Type 1 diabetic, Elliott Yamin.