My daughter was diagnosed at 5 years old (she is now 28) and I can say that diabetes never held her back. There are many things that stand out for me looking back, from trading her haloween candy with her grandfather, to that same granfather buying her a pony to make life with diabetes easier, but a few things really stand out. As we all know people don’t understand or know much about diabetes so when Kristy was in school she used it as an opportunity to show people what diabetes is and what her daily routine was. Every year we would ask the teacher if Kristy could talk about diabetes to her class, and every year Kristy brought in her favorite stuffed dog and went through everything from finger poking to giving that poor stuffed dog a needle. When she would have to poke her finger she would let the kids “push the button” and she made her situation inclusive. I would like to think that more people know about diabetes because of my daughter. Kristy rode and showed horses up until this past April, when she sold her horse to pursue a career in policing. Although she isn’t an officer yet I see and here about her training every day and I know that diabetes will not stop her. Aside from the training, she also rows with a local club for fun and competiton. I know that her diabetes also gives her something in common with her theraputic riding students (yes she does that too!) Although many of her students have different challenges in their lives I think it helps knowing that their instructor also has challenges. They have seen Kristy have to go “check her sugar” or teaching while drinking a juice box because her sugars were to low. My daughter is a champion because her diabetes never stopped her but more impotantly because she has used it to educate and to find a common bond with other kids.

It has been almost 30 years since I was first diagnosed with type one diabetes. I was seventeen years old at the time and quite a rebel. I couldn’t accept that I would have to inject myself with a foreign substance in order to stay alive. And whatsmore, being told what I can and cannot eat and when to eat.
I left home at an early age and had to deal with or manage my diabetes all by myself. I never told anyone about my illness unless it was absolutely necessary, (hypoglycemia). I never wanted to be different from anybody else, but I was. Diabetes never stopped me from doing anything I wanted and I lived my life according to my whims and wishes.

Then one day I decided to travel and people told me, “you can’t travel to South America! You are diabetic!” However, I went anyways, and I lived in South America for 10 years.
Even though I have been diabetic for 29 years and even though my kidneys are failing and even though I have periphreal neuropathy and gastro perisis, thanks to diabetes, I do not regret anything about my life and I am happy with the decisions I made.
I am looking forward to the future because I am now on a waiting list for a PK Transplant, (Pancreas-Kidney), I will have a second chance at life, free of insulin and diet and daily blood tests.
I believe the real future of diabetes treatment lies in the future development of Nano medicine.

Thank you for giving me the chance to tell my story.

we are submitting our daughter Sydneigh. She inspries us each and every day. She was diagnosed just about 4 yrs ago at the age of 6 and since then has embrached each and every day and the changes that diabetes has brought toher. This past year she was a Youth Ambasator for JDRF where she went out and told her story and what it means to her today and finding a cure tomorrow. At school, play or where ever she is not afraid to talk about and teach people what they need to know. OUr daughter is our light and and makes us work hard at being better parents each and every day.

Paige was diagnosed 7years ago and has never let it stop her from doing anything. She woke up in the hospital and said “I’m not sick, I just have diabetes”.

She has been Athlete of the Year at her school for 3 years in a row, she has attended many camps some diabetic camps others just normal camps. She is active in school, air cadets, and extra cirricular activities.

Paige has been a leader in training for the Diabetes Association for the last 3 years and has been a counsellor at family camp held in Watrous, SK for the last 4 years.

In April, 2010 Paige received the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association in Saskatchewan.

Paige is an independent and confident girl, she willing speaks to anyone interested in her condition and is not afraid or embarrassed to let anyone know she has diabetes.

I am proud to call Paige my daugher.

I nominate my 14 year old son Trevor. Trevor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 4 days before Christmas 2005 at the age of 8.

I was always proud of my child as any mother can be, but I never realized his strength, maturity at early age and his positive attitude till that day….the minute we found out and were checked into the ER our world changed. I felt like the walls were closing in on me, but not him….not my son.

He never complained about the needles, he wanted to learn everything about his disease and taking care of himself. I never saw him cry the first week in the hospital. He was strong and he was the one who was there for me. If it wasn’t for Trevor and his attitude I don’t know how we would survive the first months after his diagnoses.

My strong 8 year old boy left the hospital doing his own insulin shots and checking his on BG.

On December 23rd we were given few hours pass to do some shopping and see if he feels comfortable to be discharged. Instead of asking for Christmas presents Trevor asked me to buy toys and games for sick children so he can put them under the Christmas tree at the Pediatrics. I was so proud.

Trevor was discharged on Christmas morning 2005. Ever since then he had many ups and down. He had to deal with bullying due to diabetes. He stop getting invitations to birthday parties and sleepovers. He was penalized by our local minor hockey he played for, he was dragged across the school by a teacher after he went unconscious.

Despite it all Trevor grew up to be a strong and self- confident teenager with Type 1 diabetes. He is going through a rebellious streak right now, but he tries very hard to do what he can with what he was given.

I am nominating my son today, because I want him to know how proud I am of him….how proud we all are of him and that he is truly my hero and my rock.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6, I am now 21. I have struggled with living with diabetes as a teenager, but have overcome that phase, and have realized that diabetes is a part of me, a part of who I am. My family and friends are amazing supporters, and I thank them for being there for me over the past 15 years of living with diabetes!!

I am a 34 years old and have lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 30 years. I am a Mom to 2 young boys, ages 7 and 2. My 7 year old, Tayten, is also Diabetic and was diagnosed at the age of 2. I have made it 30 years without any complications due to the strict management of my Diabetes. I am an avid runner and Triathlete. I maintain awesome blood sugar levels during my training and race days and this is because I CHOOSE to be in control and not let Diabetes control me. I set an example for my son to show himm that Diabetes should not get in the way of accomplishing your dreams and never let someone tell you “you can’t” because of your Diabetes. My motto: “Let Diabetes propel you forward, not hold you back”. He will be completing his first Triathlon in the summer of 2012 with other Diabetics from Insulin Dependence. He can’t wait to don the “Triabetes” singlet. As I was tucking him into bed one night, this past summer, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said “Mommy, I want to be just like you. You run fast, you bike hard and you swim…oh and you have the best blood sugars.” My eyes filled with tears but my heart filled with joy that I have sent the best message of all to him. Diabetes is great thing, and not a negative thing as so many think. I have educated him his whole Diabetic life on understanding and listening to his body. It will tell you how you feel if you listen to it. By the age of 6 he was already doing his pump on his own, at direction from myself, and has a high level of understanding of carbs, proteins and how they affect your blood sugars. I feel proud to be his Mom.
I have spent my whole life being an active and responsible Diabetic. I strive for great control but also remember that “I am not a pancreas, nor will I ever be, but I will do my best to be that close to one. But, I may make mistakes.”

I recently ran in a 200 mile marathon relay with 11 other Diabetics, from Blaine, WA to Whidbey Island, WA, this summer. It was so inspiring and one of the most amazing experiences to be surrounded by other Diabetics who feel the same and understand the lingo. Such a great opportunity to meet others who share the same philosophy towards Diabetes Management.
I love the opportunity to interact with Diabetics around me and I am complimented when people tell me how I have enriched their knowledge or inpired them.
I feel extremely proud to have made it 30 years, healthy and positive with Diabetes. I am proud to say “I am a Diabetic”. It is who I am and what I am about.

Tayten is my Diabetes Champion. He is 7 years old and has been living with Diabetes since the age of 2. He has a great attitude with it, he never gets “down” with having to test or administer his pump. He calls us “2 peas in a pod” as I am also, Type 1 Diabetic. He has educated so many kids, teachers and friends about living with Diabetes. It is great to see such a positive perspective on Diabetes and I believe that has stemmed from the education we have provided him with from an early age. Tayten will be completing in his first kids Triathlon in the summer of 2012 with other Diabetics. He is so excited to don the “Triabetes” singlet. Tayten! You inspire me and you are my Diabetes Champion!

Staff dressed in blue to draw awareness to World Diabetes Day

I, have a grand-daughter who is 11years old .She has had type1 diabetes for 7years now and I, think she is one of the bravest children I know. This year her school,Digby elementry is going to have the children wear blue in november to bring awarness to world diabetes day.