Chrissy Teigen and John Legend recently enjoyed a family trip to Paris, where they got to watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The duo’s eldest children, Luna and Miles, tagged along, with Teigen sharing the sweetest photo of the three of them cheering on gymnastics champ Simone Biles from the audience.
In the photo, 6-year-old Miles can be seen sporting an insulin monitor, a wearable device used by people with Type 1 diabetes to continuously monitor blood glucose levels. Fans took to the comments section of Teigen’s post to share their own experiences with Type 1 diabetes, with Teigen confirming Miles’ diagnosis in a follow-up post on July 31.
“A lot of you noticed something a little special about a photo I posted a few days ago—Luna, Miles and I celebrating Simone and team USA,” she began.
“Miles had his arm up, and soooo many of you reached out to say the most beautiful and incredible words I have ever witnessed on this platform. You noticed his type-1 diabetes monitor and extended so much love and encouragement in every way possible. I was, and am, so blown away by the kindness of this community, already.”
Teigen noted that “things could be so much worse,” adding, “we are so blessed to have so much help and a wonderful, kind, huge-hearted specialist.”
She shared that Miles had recently been hospitalized for an unrelated illness, a “terrible case of shigella, an intestinal infection caused by bacteria in food or water,” adding that many of his friends from camp also fell ill.
When running blood tests on Miles, doctors noticed “something else was off,” adding, “I’ve learned since then that this is how so many young children end up being diagnosed with type-1—going to the hospital for something completely different.”
“After more testing, we learned he is in the ‘honeymoon period’ of a lifetime of T1,” Teigen said. “Last night we gave him his first shot of insulin and here we go! A different, new world for us and we are certainly learning so much on the fly.”
“After more testing, we learned he is in the ‘honeymoon period’ of a lifetime of T1,” she continued. “Last night we gave him his first shot of insulin and here we go! A different, new world for us and we are certainly learning so much on the fly.”
The mom of five thanked fans for their kindness and for letting Miles know “so many other people are going through the same thing and he is not alone.” She also shared that she and Legend have relied on Year One with Type One as they navigate Miles’ diagnosis. The couple are also parents to daughter Luna, 8, son Wren, 13 months, daughter Esti, 18 months, and their late son, Jack.
What is Type 1 diabetes & how is it diagnosed in children?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Without enough of these cells, the body cannot properly convert sugar into energy, leading to high levels of sugar in the blood. It’s a chronic, lifelong condition that is diagnosed in childhood, unlike other types of diabetes, such as Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes, which typically signify the body is not producing enough insulin. T1 diabetics do not produce any insulin at all, and will need daily monitoring, care, and treatment for life.
There is no cure for T1D, and the exact cause is unknown, but the Mayo Clinic notes both genetic and/or exposure to viruses and other environmental factors as potential risk factors. It tends to appear in two “peaks”: in children ages 4 to 7, and then again between ages 10 and 14.
Teigen is correct in that children are frequently diagnosed after showing symptoms of an unrelated illness, though there are some hallmark signs to look out for. If your child experiences any of the following: unquenchable thirst and/or frequent bathroom breaks, increased hunger and/or unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue and low energy, irritability, and/or blurry vision, checking in with your pediatrician can help determine if early screening is a solid option.
Managing any chronic health condition can feel scary for both parents and kids alike, but being armed with knowledge can help put you at ease as you care for your little one.
