Idol contestant deals with diabetes

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (WUPW) - When Crystal Bowersox is on stage, she seems like nothing can touch her. But the American Idol contestant, just like everyone, is far from invincible.

Dealing with juvenile diabetes is nothing new for Bowersox. However, a recent hospitalization almost forced her out of the competition.

"The mystery illness is juvenile diabetes, I've had it since I was six." said Bowersox, candidly talking about her condition.

In early March, show producers had to switch performance dates around when the contestant went to the hospital suddenly because of a complication.

"Things happen, things go wrong, stress affects your blood sugar," she said. "There's just so many factors."

Bowersox has plenty of support at home. Fans at Papa's Tavern in East Toledo have raised $600 from the sale of t-shirts and 50/50 raffle tickets.

"I'm still here on the show. Thank God producers switched things around for me," she said. "That's amazing."

Bowersox is competing against Siobhan Magnus, Katie Stevens, Casey James, Tim Urban, Lee Dwyze, Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, and Andrew Garcia to become the next American Idol.