Nick spoke today at a National Press Club luncheon in the name of diabetes advocacy.
He gave a speech about his story and how he is using his position as a rock star to promote awareness for those with diabetes, those who don’t know they have diabetes, and the people who love them. He also spoke about his partnership with Bayer through the “Nick’s Simple Wins” campaign, and was presented a check for $100,000.00 from Bayer for the Change For The Children Foundation.
Nick was poised, as always, and after his speech he answered a bevy of questions ranging from how testing his blood sugar on his hands up to 12 times a day affects his ability to play his instruments (all of which depend on touch and dexterity), which famous person he would most like to have dinner with, and if he has a girlfriend. He answered all of these questions adeptly, and I was very impressed with his candidness.
I really appreciated him saying that (after he learned he was not going to die) his second biggest concern was that he was going to have to drink Diet Coke from then on, and how the lyric “you don’t know what you’ve got ’till it’s gone” is kinda about chocolate cake. Another favorite part was when he confessed that he does not keep his monitor on stage with him (he leaves that in the trusty hands of someone who is always close) because they wear pants that are kinda tight (this got a BIG laugh). I also loved how he touched on the issue of being sensitive about not being condescending to people with diabetes. If they are eating a big slice of chocolate cake, it is because they know they can deal with it.
He was inspiring, funny, relaxed and confident. He did an amazing job, and I hope he had lots of fun.
Watch Nick’s speech and Q&A now after the jump!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
[Via: NickJOnline, Ludafid (YouTube)]
I put up a comment earlier on the JONAS part (because this wasn’t open yet). I find Nick to be intelligent, mature, humorous, poised, etc. It’s so hard to believe that he isn’t even 17 yet! His family must be so proud of him. I know that I am!
Great post cpaig!
Nick is such an impressive almost 17-year old, he’s such a fantastic example of why it’s so important to fund research for ways to mange diabetes and most importantly, to find a cure.
I’m curious though, were there any adults at this event, or just teenage girls? I’m hoping there were actually people who really needed to hear what he had to say, not just fans trying to get a peek at him.
I think there were lots of grownups there – the audience was really polite, and I think if it had been mostly teenagers they would have broken down at some point.
I think he also got the biggest laughs from the grown-ups – like the pants line.
The comments about the question cards also cracked me up – apparently they were all covered in hearts and exclamation points. LOL!
yeah! he is phoneminal we used to go to the same school, he is precious, and we’ve talked about dating, when he was here last.
Am going to listen to it, but first I’ll make a really “deep” comment (JK) – beautiful picture at the top! Love that smile!!!
I love the pic too – gotta love that smile!
A good friend of ours has a 12 yr old son w/diabetes. It has been so hard for him to enter middle school as “different”. He has to go to the clinic a few times a day to check his levels, and he can never go alone, someone always has to go with him. Though he has a pump, they still struggle to deep his numbers even.
I am so thankful that Nick has chosen to be so forthright about his condition. It makes all the difference to know that a “famous teen idol” deals with the same difficulties. Thanks to Nick and bravo!
My hubby also has type 1 diabetes, and he was diagnosed in middle school. It was hard, that is true.
I completely agree that it is such an inspiration that Nick is open. My husband didn’t know anyone who was diabetic in school.
I love Mary Tyler Moore and all, but I think that people relate to Nick more – even my hubby – though he pretends that’s not the case.
we also have a good friend, a little girl who is 8 and went to dance with my DD. She was diagnosed in May and is still adjusting. She is one of two kids with diabetes in her elementary school and it is quite rough for her. She appreciates Nick a lot. She has liked the Jonas Brothers for a while and Nick does make her feel better. I showed her mom the Bayer Simple Wins site immediately.
That picture of him is so amazing. He looks so amazing, so mature and poised. It really IS so hard to believe he is 16 years old. If I’m proud of him, imagine how his parents must feel. I just can’t say enough about this kid! I absolutely admire him. He’s achieved more in his short life than most do in a lifetime, and it is awesome.
watching part of it now… Nick comments on how one of the questions has multiple exclamation points on it. And later the lady asking questions comments that “everything comes with hearts on it.”
And Nick smiles. 
So cute.
Sorry to repeat you cpaig!
I think that this is such an excellent example of the incredible amount of poise Nick has as a public speaker. Not only does he convey his message in an elloquent manner, but he also is able to add a connection to the things that he says be relating them to his personal experiences. Its nice to see, as well, that he can not only answer the serious questions about diabetes, but can laugh through the less-serious ones as well, lightening up something as intense as a press conference. (how old are you? 16? no way haha)
I love his laugh, btw
♥ Emily
And my mom says “I think Nick always does a phenomenal job at public speaking in regards to his diabetes. It must put a tremendous amount of pressure on him to not only manage his disease but to take on a leadership role for others, but as usual he shines through. Good job, Nick!”
laughing out loud at: Joe is a like a Barbie. … As long as I look like GI Joe, I’m fine. (part 4 3:55). Hilarious.
Ooh I’m falling in love. LOL.
Such awesome questions.
Nick says again that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. But what’s hilarious is his breathing out sound he makes after it (I’m guessing he’s imitating the sigh of relief that fan girls are making all over the world. Whatever – it’s hilarious.)
Yeah, in that picture up top Nick is smiling WITH TEETH! That’s pretty cool! 8)
Wow. Just finished listening to it all. This was like the most inspirational, moving talk I’ve heard from him yet. Maybe it’s just me, but that was really touching. Words fail me.
Yes. I agree. I was afraid that he might cry and I felt I would cry then too. When he talked about being in the car with his dad and looking for the GOOD, and “it wasn’t there,” I wanted to cry. How is this 13 year old looking for the good? How does he think that way?
You know that ‘N Sync song “God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You?” All I can say is I really do think God spent a lot of time on Nick Jonas.
I’ll give that comment an “Amen!”
Big “awe” from me, again, when Nick talks about how he and his brothers are best friends and how Kevin & Joe are really sensitive and supportive to him. That just amazes me and really encourages me.
he always finds a way to encourage and compliment someone else, take the attention off himself. He even threw Demi’s #1 album out there.
I particularly enjoyed his explanation of why he wants to talk more with Elvis Costello – that he is an intelligent person who is a musician. It’s exactly how I think about Nick.
great photo.. He has a new ring but I can’t see it as well as I want to.
I felt so proud and so completely awed today watching this live. He sometimes seems to be that he can’t possibly be real.
Every thing out of his mouth is so sensitive to others. For example, the contest. One winner will win the grand prize – getting to meet Nick Jonas.
Nick worded it as that HE would get to meet this winner. He didn’t think about how he worded it ahead of time; he just thinks like that.
I noticed that too. What a humble guy Nick is.
Awww! I am dying to watch this but we have to get up early to leave for Nashville (!!!!).
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thanks for posting Cpaig! I love your comment about your husband relating to NJ too.
When he was making his speech I felt so sad and then he just has this amazing ability to make you smile!
Everyone has highlighted most of the funny and moving parts but I just LOVED when he said, “I had a perfect health history for 13 years.”
ahhhh youth
And here we have the fruits and the ripple effect of Nick’s gallant and honest speech. A really fine piece on the US News & World Report website.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/08/25/nick-jonas-livin-the-dream-despite-diabetes.html
Good job Nick!
Wow. I was finally able to watch this this morning. Unbelievable. There really are no words- and anything I can come up with will be repeating what everyone else has said.
I just cannot believe this boy is 16. I say it every time I see a picture of him, or hear him speak, but I still can’t believe it. I am so impressed with the way he spoke about the disease and the importance of awareness and funding. And the way he answered the questions. Just wow.
It doesn’t even feel strange to me, that at 23, I look up to a 16 year old. He is just so insipiring and so very special. We love you Nick (Nickel
).
I am thinking it less and less strange that at my (advanced) age (partly kidding), I look up to a teenager also. But hey, he’s not Dylan Sprouse, right? He’s obviously pretty unique.
I know!! Our local Top 40 station was playing parts of the press conference this morning (which I thought was strange since they never play JB) and my DD woke up saying “mom! they’re talking to Nick!” So I sat there on the side of her bed with her listening, and I said “he is such a stud”. Of course, she looked at me like I was nuts. I said not a stud in the way you’re thinking, just a stud in general. The boy’s got it goin’ on in all departments. Brains, passion, integrity, courage, humility, humor, looks, etc., etc. I told her this is the type of person she should be admiring, and she does. I could be his mother, and I look up to him so much.
This was beyond amazing… I loved his speech because it was so genuine and you could tell that he was speaking from the heart. It was truly inspiring. And he _rocked_ the Q&A! His answers were great and he made everyone laugh, too. People always say that Joe’s the funny one but Nick is hilarious too, his sense of humour is just different.
Barbara, I loved the Barbie comment too! Oh my gosh… I laughed so loud I probably woke up my parents.
And of course the tight pants… Hahaha.
I am so impressed with Nick and so incredibly proud of him! (Like Monica said, I can only imagine how his parents must feel!) Just when I think I couldn’t possibly love him more, he does something like this and proves me wrong.
I think he’ll make a great politician one day… Maybe even president – anything’s possible! (I have two words for you: Arnold Schwarzenegger.)
Thanks for a great post, cpaig! I especially love the picture you chose…
P.S. Almost 17… thank goodness.
also: Ronald Reagan
it’s also interesting that Bill Clinton wanted to be President from a very early age. and he accomplished that goal.
This has absolutely nothing to do with this post but I wanted to make sure everyone saw it since I wasn’t around to comment this weekend.
Thanks so much to everyone who went to the most recent shows and shared their stories with us. I loved reading about your individual experiences and your thoughts about each show. So fun to read!
I’m glad you mentioned it, I went back to read all the comments I had missed!
Thanks for sharing, Barbara, Sharpld and Trish! Loved your recaps. : )
Wow. Nick is so softspoken and thoughtful and very good at thinking on his feet. It is impossible not to be amazed at his poise and intellect. I appreciate his subtle humor.
Nick J is special. He lives his favorite Bible verse:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ” Matthew 5:14 KJV
I particularly like this verse also, because it reminds me that the Jewish people is supposed to be a “light to the nations” and that is why that people brought God’s Word to the world. Matthew 5:14 (and the verses that follow which are also very nice) is saying the same thing IMO. Being a good example and also not being afraid to shine your light and all that.
I nod my head vigorously at your comment that Nick is an excellent embodiment of the Matthew 5:14.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/locallegends/Biographies/Kaufman_Francine.html
This is Nick’s dr. in LA, if anyone is curious about her. She appears to have written books on diabetes.
Thinking a lot about Nick today. Sending blessings to him and to his family.
One thing I noticed immediately was when the journalist asked Nick if he was done with his speech, he replied, “Yes.” Not “Yea” or “Uh-huh” but “yes”! He is so polite!!
and the way she talked was so less than the way he spoke. “done with your speech?”
This was a really good post. I don’t think I can add anything; all my sentiments have been expressed brilliantly already.
We all know here about Nick’s preternatural self-possession, but I’m still amazed. About three or four minutes into the first video, I got goosebumps. He’s just sooo effortless.
Reading all these comments, it makes me anxious to watch these videos! I have to get the video fixed on this computer, this is crazy!
I’ll have to stop by the library sometime this week and use their computer.