Nick Jonas Talks about Diabetes

Dr. Travis Stork: Pop superstar, Nick Jonas shocked his fans when he announced he had diabetes, but he quickly became an inspiration for young people everywhere, and since today is all about giving back, we surprise one of his biggest fans who is also a diabetic with the chance to meet her role model. Someone is getting a little nervous here. Rachel: I know, calm down. Nick Jonas: Hello! How are you doing? Rachel: Hey! Dr. Travis Stork: Nick, how are you doing, buddy? Dr. Stork. Nick Jonas: Good to see you. Dr. Travis Stork: We got Rachel here. Rachel: I am Rachel. Nice to meet you! Nick Jonas: Nice to meet you. How you guys are doing today? Rachel: Good! I am really excited. Dr. Travis Stork: We have been talking in the car right over here; you've been a big inspiration. And we worked on some questions -- Rachel: I know. Dr. Travis Stork: Don't look at me. Rachel: What were your feelings when you got diagnosed? Nick Jonas: At first, you always ask the question, what is diabetes? I had no clue and my first question was, am I going to die? And then the doctor assured me that it's just something that you can manage and that it would be alright and it's a bit overwhelming if I can use this as a platform to be able to share my story and be an inspiration and encouragement to people that it's all worth it. Rachel: Definitely, I wanted to thank you for doing that, because you have also been in my support group. Nick Jonas: It means a lot, means a lot to hear that. If there is a way for you to be able to share your story with somebody, I always try to think of that as an opportunity. Rachel: Do you ever get down, sometimes I have those days where I felt giving up, do you still have those? Nick Jonas: Absolutely, I think everybody has their own individual day-to-day management of diabetes and there are days that are easier than others and there are the days where it really is tough. Dr. Travis Stork: Are you about to go on another grueling tour where you are out there on stage for hours at a time? Nick Jonas: Touring and living with diabetes is different than a lot of stories that I hear from people. We all face the same obstacles, I mean, we have this little talk back that we have on stage where no one else in the audience can hear but my brothers. So, we can talk to each other on stage and I can say, alright guys, I need a minute. Let's extend this, like stall for a minute or two, so I would be able to, so I can drink this orange juice or whatever. Dr. Travis Stork: And you are working on a Dog Tags program, is that right? Nick Jonas: Yeah, I wear this dog tag and then we worked to create this special edition, the one that we designed and it means a lot to me, it's got my song lyrics on it and it's really cool. I have got one for you; a couple of things for you. First off, we have the dog tag here. So, that's what we designed and then this a contour meter for you. Rachel: Oh! That's wonderful. Nick Jonas: You are my inspiration, stories like this really do encourage me, I appreciate it. Dr. Travis Stork: Thank you, Nick. Nick Jonas: Thank you sir. I appreciate it. Rachel: Thank you so much for talking. Give me a hug. Nick Jonas: Thank you very much. Dr. Travis Stork: Pop superstar, Nick Jonas shocked his fans when he announced he had diabetes, but he quickly became an inspiration for young people everywhere, and since today is all about giving back, we surprise one of his biggest fans who is also a diabetic with the chance to meet her role model. Someone is getting a little nervous here. Rachel: I know, calm down. Nick Jonas: Hello! How are you doing? Rachel: Hey! Dr. Travis Stork: Nick, how are you doing, buddy? Dr. Stork. Nick Jonas: Good to see you. Dr. Travis Stork: We got Rachel here. Rachel: I am Rachel. Nice to meet you! Nick Jonas: Nice to meet you. How you guys are doing today? Rachel: Good! I am really excited. Dr. Travis Stork: We have been talking in the car right over here; you've been a big inspiration. And we worked on some questions -- Rachel: I know. Dr. Travis Stork: Don't look at me. Rachel: What were your feelings when you got diagnosed? Nick Jonas: At first, you always ask the question, what is diabetes? I had no clue and my first question was, am I going to die? And then the doctor assured me that it's just something that you can manage and that it would be alright and it's a bit overwhelming if I can use this as a platform to be able to share my story and be an inspiration and encouragement to people that it's all worth it. Rachel: Definitely, I wanted to thank you for doing that, because you have also been in my support group. Nick Jonas: It means a lot, means a lot to hear that. If there is a way for you to be able to share your story with somebody, I always try to think of that as an opportunity. Rachel: Do you ever get down, sometimes I have those days where I felt giving up, do you still have those? Nick Jonas: Absolutely, I think everybody has their own individual day-to-day management of diabetes and there are days that are easier than others and there are the days where it really is tough. Dr. Travis Stork: Are you about to go on another grueling tour where you are out there on stage for hours at a time? Nick Jonas: Touring and living with diabetes is different than a lot of stories that I hear from people. We all face the same obstacles, I mean, we have this little talk back that we have on stage where no one else in the audience can hear but my brothers. So, we can talk to each other on stage and I can say, alright guys, I need a minute. Let's extend this, like stall for a minute or two, so I would be able to, so I can drink this orange juice or whatever. Dr. Travis Stork: And you are working on a Dog Tags program, is that right? Nick Jonas: Yeah, I wear this dog tag and then we worked to create this special edition, the one that we designed and it means a lot to me, it's got my song lyrics on it and it's really cool. I have got one for you; a couple of things for you. First off, we have the dog tag here. So, that's what we designed and then this a contour meter for you. Rachel: Oh! That's wonderful. Nick Jonas: You are my inspiration, stories like this really do encourage me, I appreciate it. Dr. Travis Stork: Thank you, Nick. Nick Jonas: Thank you sir. I appreciate it. Rachel: Thank you so much for talking. Give me a hug. Nick Jonas: Thank you very much.