Chrissy Teigen has dubbed her son Miles “a little warrior” as he learns to live with Type 1 diabetes. This chronic condition affects many Americans, including youth under 20 years of age.
The 39-year-old television personality and her 46-year-old husband, singer John Legend, shared in July 2024 that their son Miles, six, had been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease – a chronic condition in which the pancreas makes little to no insulin. They discovered he had diabetes after he experienced a bout of shingella and ended up in hospital during a football camp. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed after an illness triggers its onset, according to medical experts.
Miles feared his condition would stop him from playing sports, but after meeting fellow Type 1 diabetic Nick Jonas at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and seeing videos of top sportspeople competing with the condition, it reassured him he can continue to do what he loves. Jonas has been an advocate for diabetes awareness and research since his own diagnosis as a teenager.
“What better person to run into than Nick Jonas, who showed us the gear [and] everything? He was so sweet to Miles. It was amazing,” Chrissy shared, speaking to PEOPLE. Celebrity advocates often play crucial roles in helping children with chronic conditions feel less isolated.
“I know how much it means for Miles to see himself in anybody. Some people have sent us [videos of] their friends that are soccer players who live with Type 1, and you see his eyes light up. Representation in health conditions can significantly impact a child’s adjustment to diagnosis.
“I told him, ‘Miles, you get to be that now for other people! How cool is that?’ He really is a little warrior.” Positive framing of chronic conditions can improve children’s resilience and adaptation.
Following Miles’ diagnosis, Chrissy and John had to adapt to a new way of life, including “going in and out of hospitals, sitting down with our notebooks taking copious notes and taking videos of everything someone was doing with the insulin jar”. This learning curve is common for parents of newly diagnosed children, with education being a critical component of care.
But it is administering his insulin injections that the couple – who have three other children, Luna, nine, Esti, two, and Wren, 22 months – have found the most challenging aspect of his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, especially as they hate to see their child in pain. Injection anxiety affects many children with diabetes.t
“You try everything: tokens, bribery, iPad time. You do everything you can to see what makes him comfortable,” the model admitted. Behavioral techniques are often recommended by pediatric specialists to help children cope with necessary medical procedures.
“The first three months were really, really tough for us as a family because your child is experiencing pain. Families typically need time to adjust to chronic illness management.
“One day you’re like, ‘He did it!’ And you’re so excited it’s all looking up. Then, all of a sudden, the next day is so difficult again. The rollercoaster of emotions is a common experience for families managing chronic conditions.
“I’ve always said this about having kids in general, and it fits in with this too; when things are going so great, you can always count on it to turn. And when things are really rough, things are going to get better. Our family’s really good about navigating those curve balls now.” Resilience tends to develop over time as families adjust to new health routines.
And even though “tough cookie” Luna has cried over the thought that Chrissy and John are giving Miles “a lot of attention” or “candy when I don’t get candy”, it has made Chrissy “realize that everybody’s involved in this”. Sibling reactions to a chronic illness diagnosis are normal and require parental attention, according to child development experts.
“It affects everyone in the family differently. Luna’s a tough cookie, and she’s kind of the boss of everybody. She’s like queen of the babies. She doesn’t want to say it, but those moments at bedtime where you’re like, ‘Do you have big feelings today?’ or ‘I noticed you’re a little shy or a little quiet today. Do you want to talk about it?’ Then the tears come out, and they’re like, ‘I just feel like [Miles is] getting a lot of attention’ or ‘He’s getting candy when I don’t get candy,'” said the ‘Chrissy and Dave Dine Out’ star.
“You realize that everybody’s involved in this, and you kind of figure out a way to navigate everyone’s different feelings and moods around it. That’s our job as parents. We’re happy to be a safe place for them to be able to come to and talk about if they are sad or not.” Family approaches often emphasize open communication about feelings related to chronic illness management.
