his life with a sensor on his arm and a needle stuck in it»- Corriere.it

«We realized in September last year. The abnormal symptoms that led us to take Alessandro for blood tests were excessive urine production, increased appetite and sudden weight loss. The exceptional blood sugar values ​​gave us the diagnosis in an instant». Massimo Ambrosini, AC Milan midfielder in Ancelotti’s golden years and now an acute commentator on the championship and the Champions League for Dazn and Prime, he recounts the ordeal that his family has been facing for six months. «Our lives were literally turned upside down after Ale, who is two and a half years old, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an incurable, autoimmune, chronic and degenerative disease».

A response that takes your breath away, subverts everyday life and forces the entire family unit to new habits. «I was stronger in dealing with the trauma the first week, my wife Paola was better than me in the following months. Becoming aware of a child’s illness and accepting it are exercises that are anything but obvious”.

The ten days that Massimo will never forget were spent in the corridors and rooms of the San Raffaele hospital. «When we entered for Ale’s hospitalization we knew little about type 1 diabetes. In practice, those suffering from this pathology, not being able to produce insulin internally, have the need to take it from the outside. Technology now allows different ways than injections». However, the alternative solutions are no less invasive, especially considering the age of the young patient. “My son right now has a sensor on the arm which is used to keep the blood sugar level monitored at all times. But it also and above all has a insulin pump, that is to say a device that contains insulin which is delivered into the body through a catheter and a needle. He basically lives with a needle stuck in his butt.’ Ambrosini, who was used to hitting the counter in midfield throughout his career, now has a different opponent to tackle. «The goal is to always keep Ale’s blood sugar levels in balance. Now he is too young to feel “different” from other children, in a few years he will certainly begin to wonder why he is wearing gadgets that others don’t have». Massimo is moved because, after the post on Instagram in which he revealed his third son’s illness, social networks have shown the best side of themselves. «Paola and I were inundated with testimonies of affection. We want to thank everyone, specifying that the same support must be shared with those who have less voice than us to be heard”.

The former midfielder broke the confidentiality on the matter motivated by the motivation of raising public awareness. «Because the disease at the moment, although more manageable, remains incurable the only hope comes through research. In the autumn you will collaborate with a staff of people in the organization of a charity evening whose proceeds will go to San Raffaele, an institute that is an excellence in this field. The project is called “Beta is better”, and it is a study in which Professor Piemonti is working which aims at a cure based on stem cells». Soon, however, he will run at the Milan Marathon to support the Italian Diabetes Foundation. «In the ten days in the hospital we met special people who helped us bring out reserves of courage that we didn’t think we had. And then we met families who were denied the hopes we have».

For those who have the title of Bruce Springsteen’s song “Born to run” tattooed on their arm, giving up is not an option. «I must not lose my lucidity to manage the practical aspects. You know a funny thing? When a child’s disease is diagnosed, the moment in which the disease is discovered is referred to as onset. Almost a joke, considering the football assonance.