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 Anna Kiff (FatCatAnna) on -
Marcia - A full sized picture of Allen can be found at this link - it states that his photo "was taken during his sophomore year at R.A. Long High School when he was participating in Junior ROTC".
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Permalink Reply by Robyn on -
So very sad that this had to happen. I hope where Allen is now, he is in peace. He deserves it.
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Permalink Reply by rainbowgoddess on
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It's so sad that he couldn't get help paying for his diabetes care. But of course, everyone knows that government provided, single-payer health care is OMG EVIL!!!!! so I guess there was nothing that could have been done for him.
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Permalink Reply by MelissaBL on -
Thank you for sharing this story. Allen seems like another diabetic hero who proves that we are more than a disease, strong of heart, and (if American) struggle with the effects of a system that ties coverage of illnesses to our ability to hold a job while struggling with illness. He sounds like he was a brave and troubled young man in a terrible situation. I hope his story makes its way from one Washington to the other and that, somehow, it helps other financially struggling diabetics gain access to the insulin they need.
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Permalink Reply by Andreina Davila on -
so very sad indeed...
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Permalink Reply by nel peach on -
I don't know what to say . ...other than I feel very sad for his family with tears in my eyes ..indeed a HERO gone to HEAVEN
We need to advocate with our governments ...PLEASE .
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Permalink Reply by Cara Bauer on -
A brave young man, and how sad about his life. He was definitely this young girl's angel. There is no reason in our country a person should be denied treatment for their condition, esp. diabetes, which is easily treatable. Shameful.
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Permalink Reply by Angela Carollo on -
I don't get it he didn't ask for diabetes no body did so why do we have pay to live if we don't pay for the insulin we die where is our government how come they didn't help him. 20 years old and he wanted to serve our country.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Kiff (FatCatAnna) on
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No, it's very sad Angela - I weeped when I read his story. Unfortunately, companies that make the products we require to live healthy lives as diabetics, charge more then what we can afford sometimes, especially if we don't have medical insurance, and it shouldn't be this way! Here in Canada where I live, he would never have had this happen to him!
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