Allen Heck - 20 year old diabetic died saving girl
What is even more sad, is that his life had gone down hill due to complications with diabetes and not being able to hold down a job that long which meant he was unable to afford treatment and medication for his diabetes. He had tried to get a disability designation in order to help afford these life sustaining items, but it just didn't seem to pan out for him.
To top that all off, his dream to serve in the Army three years ago was squashed due to being rejected because of having diabetes. After that his life seemed to spiral out of control to the point where he was living in a shelter at the time of his death,. Recently doctors had told him he'd be lucky to see his 25th year - and they'd downgraded it down to 21. Sigh, I thought it was bad enough when I was told I'd only live to see 40. Why oh why did the doctors say this to him?
How can this sort of thing happen in our country is what is going through my head right now as I read his story. It just doesn't sound right!!!!! Reading about Allen's life - so full of promise - is just a very hard thing for me to understand. It makes me weep.
To read more details of this hero - please go to this link - http://www.katu.com/news/51748747.html
May he rest in peace!
( http://www.diabetes1.org/forum/News/Man_who_died_saving_girl_was_ex... )
Tags: army, complications, designation, disability, insulin, work
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Terrie8 on -
Poor Boy. Well, he did amazingly more in just one gesture, than most People do their entire lives. Good job Allen. RIP.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Hagen on -
I saw the first news release of this story and at that time, hours after the incident, they were already saying what a good guy he was. A bystander had been blown away at the way he just dove in and helped, then was gone. I hope he will be an inspiration to everyone who hears the story. And may noone else have to go through what he did!
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Permalink Reply by Marps on -
wow. That is really sad.
Especially the life-sentence thing.
I was told I'd live to 40 too- my 25th bday is next month. I have much to accomplish in 15 years!
eh, I don't believe them. I'm gonna live forever. :)
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Permalink Reply by Mark Hagen on
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I was told at dxs I could expect to live 20 more years. August will be my 30th anniversary. I wish they would lay off the predictions. THey feel like they need to give you hope. But I for one lived like I only had 20 years. When the end of that came and went, and I wasn't even sick........I had to ask, what now? Ten years later I still don't have a long term plan. My only goal is to see my girls graduate from high school and then see where we are at. The fear they put in me at eleven is still there.
Here is a young man who embodies the call for national health care. I am not a great fan of the current plans but something is better than this.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
Yeah, that's like the medpros not involved in my D care who are just dumbfounded that as a T1 I don't have *any* complications. I want to just scream at them! It's not that amazing if you're in good control... it's more that the majority of people they see/treat who do have diabetes just aren't, unfortunately.
My D team however, really gives me no indication that I should *expect* to see any complications.. at least not any time soon :)
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Permalink Reply by Anna Kiff (FatCatAnna) on -
I know there are many of us that have been told of the dreaded 40 as being our "rabbit kicked the bucket time". I have been talking to alot of people today about this story - and they are dumb founded as most of us are. I wish he had been part of Tudiabetes - maybe we could have helped him see that things could get better.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Faust-Counsellor on -
I just can't believe this story.It is shocking that he didn't get help for his diabetes.So sad!
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Permalink Reply by Bronagh on -
What a brave guy...it's just really sad that he didn't have the support he deserved. RIP.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel on -
I have not been told a year that i will live to yet by a doctor. but i know its not for ever i just want to make it long enough to make sure my kids are old enough to care for their selves and have someone to help them. This is so sad:( At least he died doing what he loved best helping someone.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Brocato on -
single payer healthcare
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Permalink Reply by Marcia on -
How very sad for a young man's life to be turned upside down because of the D. No, doctors should not predict how long you will live with this disease. My doctor told me I would be blind within 15 years of my being diagnosed. I am coming up on 25 years and have glaucoma(right angle, not caused by diabetes), but still have 20/20 vision. Allen looks like he is in uniform. Was he in the army then rejected? It's so sad...
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