You are about to meet a man who never let diabetes prevent him from accomplishing everything he wanted in life: good health, success in business, community service, family, and politics. Rick Mystrom knew that understanding his disease was crucial to his health. He has become one of the most knowledgeable persons living with diabetes in my extensive practice and frequently serves as a role model and authoritative resource for others. Jeanne R. Bonar MD, FACP, FACE Endocrinology, Internal Medicine It is the patient, not the doctor, who manages diabetes. Rick Mystrom is the gold medal winner for controlling his diabetes. He has become so skilled that he can predict and adjust his insulin level just by looking at the meal he is going to eat. His results: no complications from his long history of the disease. He is the expert. I am the learner. Thomas Nighswander MD MPH Editorial Reviews Review Rick Mystrom was a terrific speaker. He had great clarity in his presentation. It was personal, practical, and enjoyable. Number seven speaker, (Mayor Mystrom), was wonderful. I Enjoyed Rick Mystrom. He was very encouraging and upbeat." Please repeat Rick Mystrom Living with Diabetes. We missed it and were told it was excellent. Really liked the mayor from Alaska, Rick Mystrom. Rick Mystrom was the best. Excellent. Awesome. I like surprises. Rick Mystrom s, Living with Diabetes, presentation was a delightful surprise. When you have speakers like Rick, who have so much to share, please allow them more time. --Comments on Author s Presentation on his book at Diabetes Day. Sponsored by Rockwood Clinic Spokane, Washington. About the Author Rick Mystrom was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1964 while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. Soon after the diagnosis, he committed himself to living a healthy, bold, and active life with diabetes and promised himself he would never complain about having diabetes. He has kept these commitments. Now at 69 years of age, and a diabetic for 49 years, Rick has no diabetic complications and is a paragon of good health. A recent stress test categorized him as equivalent to an active 42-year-old. He credits his good health to good eating habits, an active lifestyle, and an understanding of diabetes. For nearly 30 years, he has tested his blood 5 to 10 times a day and has a unique understanding of which foods contribute to good health and which detract from good health. His activities over the years have included football, basketball, softball, tennis, golf, waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, scuba diving, snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. He has also coached over 20 youth sports teams. In 1972 Rick and his young family moved to Alaska, where he started and operated two successful businesses. In 1981, at 37 years of age, he was named one of America s top three Small Businessmen. He served on the Anchorage Assembly and two terms as mayor of Anchorage. He was elected chairman of the Alaska Conference of Mayors and was selected twice as Alaska s Elected Official of the Year. He founded the Anchorage Olympic Winter Games Bid Committee and served as chairman of America s Olympic Bid Committee for the 1992 and 1994 Olympic Winter Games. He founded Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Alaska and BridgeBuilders of Anchorage, an organization whose mission is to bring together people of all races and cultures in Anchorage to build a community of friends. He s been involved with and led many other organizations including Rotary, United Way, the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, and the Boys and Girls Club of Alaska. Rick and his wife, Mary, have raised three children, who are all living productive and fulfilling lives of their own. Rick has indeed lived a healthy, active life with diabetes. So can you. This book will teach you how.