Actor Didn’t Want His Child to Inherit His Disease, But …

Published: June 24, 2026

By India McCarty

Becoming a first-time parent can be daunting for anyone, but for actor Derek Theler, there was an added concern — that his child could inherit his type 1 diabetes.

“I was at a moment in my life where I was questioning whether I wanted to have my own children because of fear of bringing someone in and burdening them with this issue,” he said in a conversation for Breakthrough T1D. “But I think what kind of changed everything for me was my mom.”

Theler explained that his mother knew he wanted to be a father and asked him “would it be better if she hadn’t had me?”

“And then I think instantly — what a life [I’ve had],” he said. “And even being part of this diabetic community, it’s something that I cherish and it’s something that’s important to me, and I do whatever I can to give back…I’m proud of the life that I’ve formed and the one I’ve created, and I think if I were to have a kid who was diagnosed with Type 1, I think they would feel the same way, as long as I do my job as a good dad…that’s what kind of changed everything for me.”

Theler continued, “I’m very proud to be a father, and if that’s what happens, it’s what we’re going to have to deal with. Luckily, I have a lot of experience, but I hope it doesn’t, but I’m ready in case it were.”

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The actor has been a vocal supporter of raising awareness for T1D. In a 2025 Instagram post in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Theler wrote, “I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 3 years old.”

“Growing up playing competitive sports, I always wished I had more role models who talked openly about living and thriving with T1D. Back then, it felt like there weren’t any athletes, artists, or actors who shared the same challenges. I remember feeling different, isolated, and sometimes even embarrassed,” he continued. “As soon as I had a platform, I knew I wanted to change that — to be open about my life with T1D and to highlight the incredible people in our community who are doing the same.”

Theler and his wife, Lisa Marie Summerscales, share a son named Denali, 2. In a recent interview with Digital Journal, he said this chapter of his life would be called “Dad Mode.”

“I’m constantly trying to move forward with my career but at the same time, I want to be a good dad,” he explained. “That’s really fun and fulfilling, and there are a lot of different aspects to that for me.”

While Theler was initially hesitant to become a father due to his worries about passing on his diabetes, the words of wisdom from his mother were just what he needed to realize parenthood was more important than his fears.

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