Family Story Shapes Diabetes Learning Lab

Ten years ago, Mike Prybicien, LAT, ATC, CES, shared with NATA News and NATA Now readers how his background in athletic training helped his family navigate his son Aiden’s diabetes diagnosis.

During the 76th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Orlando, a now 16-year-old Aiden joined his father to help educate other athletic trainers about caring for those with diabetes during the “Managing the Diabetic Physically Active Patient” Learning Lab June 27.

The father-son duo provided insight into the additional health challenges a physically active individual with diabetes can face as well as what ATs need to know to manage long- and short-term health care and performance goals for their patients. This included:

• The signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and how to prevent and treat them.
• The importance of developing a written diabetic care plan specific to each individual.
• The importance of educating athletes, parents or guardians and coaches about an individual’s diabetes management.

The care of individuals with diabetes has been a passion of Prybicien since Aiden’s diagnosis at the age of 4. As Aiden has gotten older, he also used his voice to advocate for those with diabetes. 

In addition to helping his dad present “Managing the Diabetic Physically Active Patient” during NATA 2025, Aiden also shared his firsthand experience as a student athlete with diabetes during  the Athletic Trainers Society of New Jersey and Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society annual meetings. In July, Aiden served as a member of the BreakthroughT1D Children’s Congress. This experience allowed him to meet with legislators and educate them about Type 1 diabetes and advocate for continued research funding to find better treatments and, one day, a cure.

Read more about Mike and Aiden Prybicien in the November 2015 NATA News and on NATA Now.