Young Man Thriving a Decade After His Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

Brandon West of Lorain noticed something wrong when he was 11 years old. He lost weight, had trouble eating, and felt shaky. One day his condition got so bad he was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. During his two-week stay there to stabilize his condition, he was impressed by and grateful to his providers for explaining everything and showing him and his family how to manage this new diagnosis – including administering insulin injections. They felt very respected and prepared to face the future with type 1 diabetes.

For a decade, Brandon has received ongoing care with UH Rainbow Partners in Pediatrics on Clague Road in Westlake. He sees a variety of providers, but his primary endocrinologist is Sarah Chaaban, MD.

“Dr. Chaaban and her team are like family,” said Brandon. “I tend to have a lot of questions, but she and the team never make me feel like a burden. I always leave my appointments feeling better.”

"It’s an incredible privilege to provide care for patients like Brandon,” said Dr. Chaaban. “As a pediatric endocrinologist, one of our greatest joy is the opportunity to support our patients throughout their journey, witnessing their growth and thriving. Brandon has become an integral part of our extended family."

Thanks to keeping his type 1 diabetes in check, Brandon has been able to pursue his passion – advocacy in his hometown of Lorain. He volunteers in person and also uses social media to spread his message.

Now that he’s 21, he’s getting ready to transition to adult endocrinology care, but he’ll never forget how his care with UH Rainbow helped him thrive.

Related Links

• Childrens Diabetes Center