Richard

Montgomery, Texas

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, I tried to manage it with diet, exercise and oral medications. I started taking insulin about 10 years ago. I’m not afraid of needles or shots, but I’m a cattle rancher and I’m worried about the risk of infection from multiple needle sticks every day out on the ranch. My immune system is compromised because I had a liver transplant about four years ago. I was so relieved when I found out about the i-port^®. On a normal day, I take 12 injections to keep my diabetes under control. Because the i-port^® can be worn for 72 hours and reduces the number of skin punctures to just one every three days, I can focus on living now instead of worrying about taking shots.

Besides working my cattle ranch, I ride a motorcycle and volunteer for Life Gift, an organization that promotes organ donations. Since I got my new liver, I count each day as a gift. I’ve been a very lucky man when it comes to my health. I’ve gone through the challenges of liver disease, a heart condition, and diabetes. I really want to get the message out and help others with diabetes that might be reluctant to take their insulin injections as they should. I want to encourage people to try new things like the i-port^®, especially if it means an improvement in their health and quality of life.