He's not dead (yet). I watched this episode last night (12/21/09). He's planning on going to trade school and has been hospitalized twice for ketoacidosis.

Dad seemed too macho. He really should have found a constructive way to make him cope or be an advocate to finding a cure for diabetes. I mean he sounded real firm about his love for his son, but what about setting an example instead of being a hardass. If only this show put more spotlight on how miserable this disease is, there would be a fight. Its just bigpharma and the politicians too busy not giving a shit. Its fallen on deaf ears.

I think on one hand the parents sheltered too much to the point that hes not able to the lumps of real life. Plus, his dad in one sequence made it sound like there will never be a cure for diabetes, but lm sure if he'd actually given a thought to be community active or given his son the confidence to get active in some way about getting a cure l could see the dad in a better light.

@stephenp1968 how do you know this? I heard this also and I tried looking it up but I couldnt find anything on his death.

@ehouston Yes, he did.

why would they kick him out of treatment? They couldn't get him to follow the plan without kicking him out. That's stupid.

SOMEONE SAID HE DIED. DID HE OR NOT????

fullltimemommy1 and iteach2learn…type 1 diabetes is hard…and it is not what ppl think it is when they compare with type 2…I was diagnosed when i was six (now 19) and been on the Insulin Pump since i was 11…it lets me eat whatever i want and whenever i want as long as i know how many carbs to give for…so diet doesnt take into account….it seems ppl care more about type 2 than 1, but type 2 is preeventable not type 1

Seems his macho father withdrew his affection from John when he realized he was a bit more intellectual/geeky as a kid than sporty. I'll bet this made John very depressed. So glad John feels better. I hope his mother will go into remission and feel better soon.

I think he's gay.

I love his mom..

Wow he looks so different! Id totally be his girlfriend.

I agree with fulltimemommy1. I've had type 1 diabetes since I was 9 (now 27) and even though I have good control with an insulin pump, I have periods of burnout and not caring. This disease requires rigorous, intensive, and unpleasant treatment which is maintained by the patient alone. Even with 24/7 monitoring you still get highs and lows. I wish this had been addressed rather than just making it look like he ate badly like type 2. However, I'm glad he's improved his life and wish him the best.

I appologize for the huge comment, never done this before, hence the backwards posting. I feel I had to share this.

If I could be given chemo treatments, a miracle pill some type of life saving surgery, I would but there is no such thing. I am not belittling any other health issues an any way, just pointing out that we all have our struggles and no one will ever know what your struggles are like unless they've been there themselves. Good luck to you, John.
(end)

You would have to constantly remember to take those breaths, when did you take the last one, when is the next one due? Do I take a little one or a big one? Etc. Yes it's treatable, but try to do it every single day, every minute of your whole life. (continued next posting)

Constant monitering, calculating, dealing with the shaking and confusion of low bg levels, the dehydration, vomitting and time it takes to get that bg level back down. This is like your body not being able to breathe automatically. (continued next posting)

I am glad some attention has been given to Type 1 Diabetes, finally. A lot of people don't know there are two types and most people focus on Type 2. I don't like though how John was portrayed. It seemed like the usual attitude, "why don't you just take care of yourself, it's not that difficult!". I am 32 and have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 7. It is a daily challenge that doesn't give you a break. (continued next posting)

I cannot understand at all why he doesn't have friends; I would hang out with him. Good luck to you John

this video made me realize i better start taking car of my type 1 diabetes i am a sspitting image of john before i am there now
JT

Kudos to you for trusting your family in helping you find the strength to do it.
Now that you are in such a better place in life things will start to look up for you. Maybe get back into school and get some real true friends. Maybe even your new girlfriend. She is out there somewhere and now you are ready to go and find her. Best wishes to you and your family.

Awesome- awesome-awesome
John I am so glad you are doing so much better. I don't think people can even imagine how hard it is living with ADD and depression like this. You can't know unless you have been there. I have and it is a very hard place to pull yourself out of, even though you know you need to and would feel so much better if you did.

He is a REALLY good kid with a good soul. I'd totally be friends with him. He seems very intelligent.

Such a bittersweet ending to this story. On one hand, its great to see him doing so well himself and looking so much healthier … but heartbreaking to see his mother's health in such decline. They all seem like such good people - and this was one of the most heartwrenching Intervention episodes I've seen.