Lance Bass Shares How Diabetes Changed His Parenting Approach

Lance Bass has recently opened up about the unexpected ways his diabetes diagnosis has transformed his approach to parenting. The 47-year-old *NSYNC star shared these insights in a heartfelt letter as part of Dexcom’s A Letter to Diabetes campaign, coinciding with National Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day.

A Challenging Diagnosis

Bass’s diabetes journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was initially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Following medical advice, he made significant lifestyle adjustments, including dietary changes and medication, yet his blood sugar levels remained unstable.

After further investigation, he discovered that he actually has Type 1.5 diabetes, also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). This condition exhibits characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes but often goes misidentified due to its adult onset.

"After a lot of questions and advocating for myself, I finally learned the truth: I have Type 1.5 diabetes, or LADA," Bass reflected humorously.

Parenting with Authenticity

Living with diabetes has intricately woven itself into Bass's daily routine, a scenario he readily shares with his 5-year-old twins, Alexander and Violet. Rather than concealing his diabetes management, he chooses to involve them in his health journey.

"Whether I’m performing, working, or chasing two five-year-olds around the house, managing my diabetes has become part of my everyday life," Bass explained.

He believes that visibly managing his condition teaches important lessons about vulnerability and self-care. Bass commented, "Perhaps the most unexpected part of this journey has been how you’ve changed me as a husband and a dad. I hope seeing me take care of myself teaches them that vulnerability is strength and that taking care of ourselves is a way we show love to those around us."

The Importance of Community

Aside from personal adjustments, Bass has also embraced the diabetes community, engaging with fellow advocates such as Nick Jonas and Rylee Arnold. This community support has been instrumental in helping him navigate his condition.

Reflecting on the unexpected benefits of his diagnosis, Bass feels proud of the impact he can make by raising awareness about diabetes and the importance of accurate diagnoses. "So, diabetes, I can’t say I’m glad we met," Bass noted. "But you’ve taught me things I never expected, and reminded me just how powerful sharing our stories can be. For that, I can say thank you."