Dream Big...

In January 1922 in Toronto, Canada, a 14-year-old boy, Leonard Thompson, was chosen as the first person with diabetes to receive insulin. The test was a success. Leonard, who before the insulin shots was near death, rapidly regained his strength and appetite.

Thank you Dr. Frederick Banting.  Less than 100 years ago a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence.  Literally.  There are people alive today who lived in a time when there was no known successful treatment for T1d.  Today there is a treatment -- not a cure -- for diabetes.  But we are working on that.

This weekend J had the chance to attend a camp founded on a dream of Sean Busby. Sean is a professional snowboarder -- who has Type 1 diabetes. Sean, along with his wife Mollie, lead clinics all over the US through an organization called Riding On Insulin.     

 Pocono Mountains

What is your dream?  Who is your role model?  Whether they have diabetes or not, it is important to set the bar high -- It is also critical  that our kids see and recognize names of people they can follow LIVING and dreaming BIG.

Have a hockey player?  Nick Boyton, Toby Peterson, Max Domi, Cory Conacher, Taylor Vause and the legendary Bobby Clarke

Football you say -  Jay Cutler,  Jay Leeuwenburg

Racing is your thing - Charlie Kimball and Ryan Reed

Basketball - Adam Morrison and Chris Dudley

Water sports?  Gary Hall Jr., Olympic swimmer and Scott Dunton, World Renowned surfer

Golfer - Kelli Keuhne

Do you want to know more about diabetes in sports? Check out some of these resources:

The Diabetic Athletes Handbook

This is an incredible opportunity for kids who play hockey

Dskate

If you are a bike rider, there are rides both through the American Diabetes Association and JDRF

Tour De Cure --- ADA

Ride to Cure - JDRF

Or maybe you would rather walk?  Yep, there is something for you too.

JDRF Walk

Stepout Diabetes - ADA

If there isn't an event or camp out there that interests you or your athlete...maybe it's time to start one...Remember...things happen if you dream big.

~Amy~