Diabetes Need Not Limit Dreams and Ambitions

Jason Harmon, CTO and founding partner of Get Real Health, did not allow insulin-dependent diabetes to stand in the way of achieving his childhood dream of flying. He flew his first solo flight at the age of sixteen and earned his private pilot license a year later.

Just after his high school graduation, one diagnosis changed his plans of joining the U.S. Air Force: diabetes. Prior to 1996, diabetic patients were banned from flying any type of aircraft in the U.S. Now, the FAA allows pilots with insulin-dependent diabetes to fly private planes if they meet certain standards.

Harmon is featured in this summer’s issue of Diabetic Living magazine. In the article, he describes his experiences of checking his blood sugar every hour. “Compared to other tasks we do while flying, managing blood glucose is one of the easier ones,” he says.

Harmon flies in the Annual Diabetes Formation Flight USA to increase awareness of the chronic disease and to encourage other patients to continue pursuing their life’s dream. This year’s flight will take place in July between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Oklahoma City.

To read the full article in Diabetic Living, click here.