Type 1 Diabetes Isn’t Holding Maximus Back

With a strong support system and dedicated care team at Children’s to help keep his illness in check and his spirits up, he’s excelling and helping others do the same.

At just 6 years of age, Maximus has embraced the role of advocate for kids living with Type 1 diabetes. He has helped raise funds for diabetes research, and he’s eager to share his experience, informing others about this lifelong condition typically diagnosed in childhood, which prevents the pancreas from making insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Maximus has even found a way to make it fun for kids to learn about things like insulin and ketones, performing every year in a play he helped write called “Sugar Babies.”

Diagnosed at age 2, Maximus’ journey with Type 1 diabetes began early. But with support from his family and his care team, he’s learned over time how to manage the challenges of his illness, like fluctuating blood sugar levels, playing his favorite sports while wearing an insulin pump and glucose monitor, being extra mindful about what he eats and more. He continues to rise above, taking an active role in managing his condition and making “lemonade out of lemons,” says his mom, Melody.

“I tell him all the time: ‘You can overcome anything. And just because we have this lemon that we've been given, you will continue to do great things,’” she says. “He doesn't let his illness stop him. Maximus is a miracle child because the sky's the limit for him.”

At Children’s, Maximus receives not only the expert clinical care he needs to manage his condition. He also gets emotional support to help him stay positive. “We have to go see his doctor every three months. As soon as Maximus steps off the elevator, the [team] claps for him and cheers him on. They encourage Maximus, and they encourage me as a mom as well,” says Melody.

According to his endocrinologist, Kristina Cossen, MD, Maximus has a bright future ahead. “Maximus is able to do anything he wants to do with his life,” she says. “He's a very active individual, very outspoken. I hope he continues to advocate for himself and others with his condition, which I believe he will.”