Meet the ‘Superkid’ with Type I diabetes who’s inspiring families everywhere
Enrrique’s love of cooking began early. His mom has videos of him in the kitchen at just three years old, already experimenting with food and flavors. He was always the one showing up to soccer practice with a homemade snack, eager to share his love of cooking with friends on and off the field.
But what started as creativity soon became something bigger, something impactful that would inspire people around the world.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
When Enrrique was seven years old, his family noticed something was wrong. He was extremely thirsty, losing weight and making frequent trips to the bathroom. When he began vomiting, his parents feared COVID. It was 2021, after all. But at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, a nurse quickly recognized the signs of diabetes. Enrrique’s blood sugar was dangerously high. Within hours, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He was admitted to the Hospital for several days while doctors and nurses stabilized his condition and taught his family how to manage a diagnosis that would forever change their lives.
“At first, I was terrified,” his mom, Ritsuko, recalls. “I didn’t even know there were different types of diabetes. I blamed myself. I wondered if I had done something wrong.”
What eased that fear was education and support, and the reassurance that it wasn’t her fault. Before leaving the Hospital, Enrrique’s family received hands-on training, classes and guidance that helped them feel confident caring for him at home. The care team made sure the family understood everything from insulin dosing to carb counting, offering reassurance every step of the way.
That support made all the difference.
“Before everything changed, I was just a kid who loved cooking and playing soccer,” Enrrique says. “Running, kicking, laughing. I thought life would always feel that free”
When Enrrique was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, “it felt like my world collapsed,” he says.
“I thought I couldn’t eat anything anymore. I thought I couldn’t play soccer,” he recalls. “But after leaving the Hospital, I realized I could eat what I love and play the sports that I love, as long as I carefully monitor my insulin.”
Today, Enrrique continues his care with Ximena Lopez, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Dr. Lopez works closely with Enrrique and his family to manage his diabetes while supporting his growth, independence and active lifestyle.
“Living with Type 1 diabetes can be a huge burden for children and their families, but Enrrique has managed to spin it in a very positive and creative way,” adds Dr. Lopez. “He seems to have given purpose to it through his cooking and his passion for soccer. You can feel that his excitement is genuine. He is truly inspirational.”
A Kid in the Kitchen
To better manage his blood sugar, Enrrique’s mom began cooking meals from scratch so she could carefully count carbohydrates. Enrrique grew up eating traditional Mexican dishes like tamales and enchiladas, and it was important to him to honor his culture while continuing to enjoy the foods he loved. He wanted to learn how to prepare those dishes himself.
He joined his mom in the kitchen, learning how different foods affected his body and how to make thoughtful choices without giving up flavor.
“Mexican food is so special to me,” he says. “It’s part of who I am, and I wanted to learn how to enjoy it in a way that works for my body.”
To help other families facing a similar journey, the family began sharing those moments on social media, first on Ritsuko’s account and later on Enrrique’s own parent supervised page.
What happened next surprised everyone.
One of Enrrique’s early videos went viral, earning millions of views from around the world. Almost overnight, families began following his journey. Some were managing Type 1 diabetes. Others had Type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes. Many simply loved watching a kid cook with confidence and joy.
Instead of focusing on limitations, Enrrique shared what he could still do. He could cook. He could play soccer. He could live his life.
“I told him we should show the positive side,” Ritsuko says. “This is part of your life, but it does not define everything about you.”
That belief became the heart of Diabetic Superkid, Enrrique’s social media name, and a message Enrrique carries with him wherever he goes. If he can do it, other kids can too.
That confidence shows up most clearly on the soccer field.
A Winning Combination
Soccer has always been another passion. Enrrique plays competitively and spends hours training with his team. As his social media following grew, so did his creativity. He began combining his two worlds, cooking meals for his soccer team and sharing how he manages diabetes while staying active.
The result was an even broader audience. Kids and teens started looking up to him not just as a cook, but as an athlete who refused to let a diagnosis slow him down.
At school, Enrrique is just a regular sixth grader. He attends class, practices soccer after school and spends time with friends. His family has always prioritized keeping his life as normal as possible.
Inspiring Others
Recently, Enrrique was featured in a Scholastic publication during Hispanic Heritage Month. Teachers shared photos of classrooms learning about his story. Families sent messages saying his videos helped them feel less alone after a new diagnosis.
For Enrrique, those moments matter more than views or followers.
“I never meant to become a voice for T1D awareness, but maybe this is who I was meant to be,” he says. “Every sensor, every pump change, every high and low. It still hasn’t stopped me. I’m stronger than before. And this is only the beginning of my story.”
With the help of advanced technology like continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, managing diabetes has become easier. Enrrique has learned how to care for himself, gaining independence and confidence with each year.
Big Things Ahead
When asked about the future, Enrrique’s mom smiles. She hopes her son grows into a happy, independent adult who chases his dreams, whether that means becoming a chef, a soccer player or both.
For families newly facing a diabetes diagnosis, she offers this advice:
It’s hard at first. There’s fear and uncertainty, and that’s normal. But with education, patience and support, children can live full, joyful lives.
Enrrique is proof of that. In the kitchen and on the field, he continues to show families everywhere that a diagnosis does not have to dim a child’s light.
“My journey isn’t about what I lost. It’s about everything I’ve gained,” he says. “A superpower I embraced and used for good. A Diabetic Superkid.”