Managing diabetes can be difficult no matter what your job is, but as a singer-songwriter who’s frequently on the road, Crystal Bowersox is aware that there are some times when you just can’t manage it on your own.
That’s why Crystal has partnered with Lilly Diabetes for the Know Before The Low campaign that aims to help those with diabetes foster and empower support networks of people who are knowledgeable about the disease and know how to help in case of a low blood sugar emergency.
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Crystal spoke to Diply about her own experiences with diabetes as well as how the current state of the world has both affected and inspired her as a musician.
Crystal Bowersox is no stranger to making art out of and despite hardships in the world.
After competing on the 9th season of American Idol and eventually coming in second place, Crystal has been continuing her career as a singer-songwriter mostly through touring, although the current pandemic has put that aspect of her career on pause.
Crystal hasn’t slowed down, though. “I haven’t had this much downtime in ever, so it’s been refreshing,” she said. “I’ve been able to write and I’m excited to share those songs at some point in the future.”
There is plenty of inspiration in the world, and Crystal hasn’t been afraid to touch on the difficult subjects.
Her latest single, ‘Courage To Be Kind,’ is an emotional song that deals with some tough issues.
Crystal explained that she wrote the song in 2017 after the mass shooting at a church in South Carolina , saying, “The whole world was hurt by what happened, the racially charged murders, and as artists and songwriters do, that was our way of coping with the tragedy.”
Crystal also said the song was inspired by a synagogue in Texas that had opened its doors to members of a mosque who had lost their place of worship, saying, “We are all human and we all want the same things. We don’t all want the same things politically but we all want our family to be healthy, and we want to feel safe and loved.”
When it comes to the current challenges in the world, “There’s almost too much to draw inspiration from,” Crystal joked.
One personal challenge that Crystal has been dealing with since her childhood is the fight against diabetes.
Crystal was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of six, where she said the doctors described it to her as “a war going on inside my body, and that my immune system was mistakenly attacking the parts of my body that made insulin.”
Crystal said that she’s lived an amazing life so far in spite of the difficulties caused by the disease, and that even though managing her diabetes is a challenge, “it’s not impossible.”
Crystal explained that she wears her diabetes management devices where people can see them, saying, “It’s an opportunity to talk about it and raise awareness,” which is incredibly important to her.
One challenge is the general lack of information that the public has about her condition, which can sometimes require outside help.
Crystal explained that when it comes to low blood sugar, with a mild low you can help yourself, but with a severe low blood sugar emergency, it’s important to have a support network and for those around you to know what to do in case you cannot. Education for those around her is incredibly important.
That’s why the Know Before The Low campaign is so important to Crystal. The campaign aims to help those with diabetes create a support network in case they are ever in a situation where they need help.
The website provides a list of things for those with diabetes to discuss with health care providers, their family, and even to help educate strangers who may one day be present for a low blood sugar emergency. “A lot of times, [symptoms of a low blood sugar emergency] get mistaken for other conditions. If someone’s having a seizure because of low blood sugar, people need to think, ‘oh, this could be because of diabetes.’ You could save someone’s life,” Crystal explained.
For Crystal’s life as a musician, it was urgent to have these conversations with her band and tour manager.
Low blood sugar was even once was an issue while she was performing on stage, in the middle of a song. Crystal realized this was “a teachable moment,” and explained to the crowd what was happening, and asked if anyone in the audience had any candy or sugar for her.
“The next thing I know, the front of the stage was covered in Jolly Ranchers and Peanut Butter Cups and all sorts of things that would help me in that moment,” Crystal said, and added that she used the recovery time to continue to educate the crowd.
While the life of a touring musician might seem difficult for those with diabetes, Crystal emphasizes that “Nothing is impossible. It requires some extra planning, and I feel like my diabetes has made me stronger, because it really shows you what you’re made of, and what you are able to get through and still come out and be successful. If you want something bad enough, diabetes won’t get in your way.”
For those interested in learning more about diabetes management and the importance of support networks, you can visit the Know Before The Low website right here .
