German architect Marc Wubbenhorst has to drink at least 5 gallons of water a day or risk dying from dehydration. The 41-year-old suffers from the rare metabolic disease diabetes insipidus, which causes intense thirst and frequent excretion of large amounts of diluted urine. If he stops drinking water, his body begins to dry out and he can die of thirst within a matter of hours. Although the disease can develop at any point in life, Marc was born with the condition. Each day his life begins with a big bottle of water to fill him up, but that doesn’t last long, as he soon has to go to the bathroom. It’s even harder at night, when he’s rarely able to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. He estimates that he goes to the bathroom up to 50 times a day. Needless to say, Marc has to plan his work schedule and free time around his condition. Situations such as sporting events and long flights are something he has to avoid. Over the years, he has learned to take the lemons of life and make lemonade. He enjoys time with friends and family, volunteers, and is heavily involved in community projects.
